Ivan Tikhon

(www.nbcolympics.com)

The hero of our group is Ivan Tikhon. We are proud of this famous man because he is a three-time world champion, an Olympic medalist and European champion. And what is more, he is our countryman. He was born and spent his childhood in the village of Glovsevichy which is situated near our native town of Slonim.

Now he is nearly 33, he is married and has a son. He is tall and strong. He developed great strength and skill as he has been keen on sports since early boyhood. At first Ivan tried different kinds of sport but later got interested in hammer throwing.

Ivan Tikhon is a very determined person. In spite of all difficulties and failures at the beginning of his career he didn't give up. For example, Tikhon competed at his first World championships in 1997 but without reaching the final. He also failed to do so at the 1998 European Championships but finished tied for third in the final at the 2000 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, he was ranked fourth because he did not have a superior second best. Then he finished sixth at the 2001 Summer Universiade and ninth at the 2002 European Championships and competed at the 2001 World Championships without reaching the final.

Ivan Tikhon at the 2007 World Championships (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Tsikhan )

Only the year 2003 was successful. He surpassed the 80-metre barrier for the first time. He became the world champion for the first time in 2003 in Paris with a throw of 83.03 metres. He won the 2003 Summer Universiade. These victories inspired him for further gigantic work and for further achievements. His greatest desire was to win in the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens. His ambition was realized and he won the silver medal. That was really the turning point in his career because since that great event he has achieved many victories. In 2005 he became the World champion in the hammer throw. In 2006 Tikhon won the European Championships. He also finished second at the 2006 World Athletics Final and the 2006 World Cup. In 2007 Tikhon won his third World Championships with a throw of 83.63 metres. This was his season's best. He again won the 2007 World Athletics Final.

Ivan Tsikhan of Belarus competes in the hammer at (www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=384/bio/)

In 2008, Tikhon had a season's best of 84.51 metres. He finished third at the 2008 Olympic Games with a throw of 81.51 metres. Unfortunately, this victory brought about a lot of problems to Tikhon and grief to all his fans. It's impossible to believe but he was tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone after the hammer throw finals on August 12, 2008. And we all refuse to accept this news. As far as we know he is really a very kind-hearted, helpful and thoughtful man. He did a lot for the development of sports not only in our country but in our town and region. He sponsored the construction of a number of sports grounds and stadiums. He initiates numerous competitions in track and field and provides prizes for the winners. He often meets young people and though he is a well-known man, he is very simple and decent. We hope that Tikhon's present problems will be soon solved and all his fans will again admire his sports performances.

Sport career

Doping Offense

Both Tikhon and silver medalist and fellow Belarusian Vadim Devyatovskiy tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone after the hammer throw finals on August 12, 2008. Both were stripped of their medals by the International Olympic Committee. Both men have appealed to the Court for Arbitration for Sport. If the Court rejects their appeal, Tikhon will serve a two-year suspension and be banned from the 2012 Olympics in London.

Distance Progression

2008 84.51 Grodno 09/07/2008

2007 83.63 Osaka 27/08/2007

2006 81.12 Stuttgart 10/09/2006

2005 86.73 Brest, BLR 03/07/2005

2004 84.46 Minsk 07/05/2004

2003 84.32 Minsk 08/08/2003

2002 79.04 Minsk 29/06/2002

2001 78.73 Brest, BLR 08/06/2001

2000 79.85 Minsk 27/06/2000

1999 70.37 04/09/1999

1998 78.03 Saint-Denis 04/06/1998

1997 77.46 Turku 11/07/1997 <1996 75.32 Minsk 13/07/1996

1995 66.84 01/01/1995

1994 62.66 01/01/1994

1993 61.32 13/07/1993

1992 55.91 06/05/1992