Alexander Belov
Alexander Alexandrovich Belov (Russian - Александр Александрович Белов ) ( born November 9, 1951 in Leningrad, † October 3, 1978 in Leningrad) was a Soviet basketball player. He played as a center in the Soviet national team and Spartak Leningrad.
Career as a player
Below began playing basketball in youth sports school of Spartak under Vladimir Kondrashin, who. Across the entire sports career from Below in both the youth, as in the club and in the national team, his only coach remained At the age of 16 years Below 1967 was his debut for Spartak in the highest Soviet league. Only a year later he was part of the squad of Soviet national team at the Olympic Games in Mexico. Special fame as a marksman Below the final, decisive hit at the Olympic Games 1972 in Munich by the USSR for the first time Olympic champion. It was the first time that the U.S. team has not won at the Olympic Games. After this game, there were invitations in the NBA, although the European players were not high at the time in North America in course. The commitment in the United States, however, was prevented by the veto of the political leadership. In addition to the Olympic gold medal in 1972 Below won with the Soviet national team, the 1974 World Cup and the European Championship twice (1969, 1971). With Spartak Leningrad Below won twice (1973, 1975), the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and was in the finals of this competition. Also with Spartak won Below 1975 Soviet Championship. It was the only time during the period from 1969 to 1984 that the championship was not in CSKA. After this season, there have been efforts Below for CSKA to pick up, but he remained until his death at Spartak. He was appointed by FIBA 1991 FIBA 's 50 Greatest Players and incorporated into the FIBA Hall of Fame posthumously in 2007.
Customs scandal 1977
On January 23, 1977 icons were at Alexander Belov during a customs inspection at a European Cup game in your luggage found. Although small violations of Customs regulations when Soviet athletes that time were quite common, an example was at Below statuiert. It was taken from him all his honorary title, and painted his livelihood. He even got training ban. There were rumors that this intrigue was staged as a lever to switch to CSKA. After unsuccessful Abwerbeversuchen Below was rehabilitated in 1978 and got back an invitation to the national team.
Illness and death
Shortly after the 1976 Olympic Games Below began to complain of pain in the chest. This meant that his coach repeatedly indulged him -outs. Because of the pain he had to quit the preparation of the national team for the World Cup 1978. His illness was diagnosed as angiosarcoma. After an unfavorable disease course Belov died on 3 October 1978 at the age of almost 27 years.
Awards and achievements
The team
- Olympic champion: 1972
- World Champion: 1974
- European Champion ( 2x): 1969, 1972
- 3rd place Olympic Games: 1976
- 3rd place World Cup: 1970
- 2nd place European Championship: 1977
- Soviet champion: 1975
- Winner Europe Cup Winners' Cup: 1973, 1975
Personal awards
- Best Center of the World Cup 1974
- Recorded in the FIBA Hall of Fame 2007