Ivan Lebanov

Ivan Lebanow ( Bulgarian Иван Лебанов, English transcription Ivan Lebanov, . Born December 10, 1957 in Gostun, Bansko Municipality ) is a former Bulgarian cross country skier. He won in 1980 the first Bulgarian medal at the Winter Olympics.

Life and career

At the age of 18 years Lebanow participated in the Winter Olympic Games in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. Over a distance of 15 kilometers, he finished a good 24th place as the best starter in his country. With the Bulgarian team he could occupy only 14 and thus last place in the relay competition. Four years later, at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, he improved over the 15-kilometer distance to 15th place. In the 30 km competition he then managed a reasonably not possible sensation. He won a surprise behind the Soviet runners Nikolai Simjatow and Vasily Rotschew the bronze medal. It was the first Olympic medal won at the Olympic Winter Games, a Bulgarian athlete.

1978 won Lebanow at the Universiade in Spindleruv Mlyn the gold medal in the 15-kilometer distance. With the Bulgarian season he won the bronze medal. In 1981, he triumphed in Jaca in the 30 km competition. Two years later he won over the same distance in front of his home crowd in Sofia the bronze medal and the silver medal in the 15 km distance and the relay competition. Lebanows best finish in the Cross Country World Cup in 1982 was the tenth place about 15 km at the World Cup in the Swiss Le Brassus. This season, he finished with 41 place his best finish in the World Cup.