Vladimir Salnikov

myminifactory

This bronze figurative sculpture depicts a nude athlete drying himself off with a towel, who is identified as Vladimir Salnikov, a former freestyle swimmer that competed in the 1988 Olympic Games. Its counterpart, a shot putter also named Vladimir Salnikov, can be downloaded here. Vladimir Valeryevich Salnikov, born on May 21, 1960, was a Russian freestyle swimmer who competed for the Soviet Union and set twelve world records in the 400, 800, and 1,500 meter events. Known as the "Tsar of the pool", but also called the "monster of the waves" or simply the "Leningrad Express", he was the first person to swim under fifteen minutes in the 1500 m freestyle and also the first person to swim under eight minutes in the 800 m freestyle. In 1982, Vladimir Salnikov was named Male World Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World magazine.