Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Oct 2025
Russian Olympic medalist Aleksandr Dityatin, 68, winner of eight medals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has died of heart problems, according to information from the International Gymnastics Federation, the Russian Olympic Committee, and the Russian Gymnastics Federation.
Dityatin became immortalized in the history of gymnastics and Olympic sport by being one of the few athletes to win eight medals at a single Olympic Games, a feat matched only by Michael Phelps, with his eight gold medals at Beijing 2008 and then eight more at Athens 2004 with six golds and two bronzes.
Dityatin is recorded as the first man to earn a perfect 10 in artistic gymnastics on the vault.
At the 1980 Moscow Games, Dityatin won three gold medals for the Soviet Union in the team, individual all-around, and another event, four silver medals in the horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, and vault, and a bronze medal in the floor exercise.
He is also recognized in world sports history as the first gymnast to reach the podium in all men's artistic gymnastics events at a single Olympics.
Dityatin also won four gold medals at the 1979 World Championships and three at the 1981 World Championships.
In retirement, he became a gymnastics coach in his hometown of St. Petersburg.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026