President of the Russian Paralympic Committee.

Born on 13 July 1937 in Omsk, Russia

Married, with two sons, a grandson and a granddaughter
Fluent in English, French and Spanish
Favourite sports are soccer and hockey

1959: graduated from the Moscow State Teaching Institute with a diploma as a teacher of the Russian language, literature and history
1964: received the scientific degree of Candidate of Historical Science (equivalent to a PhD)
1968: appointed Head of the Far Eastern Policy Department at the Institute of the USA and Canada of the USSR Academy of Sciences
1987: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR as Head of the Department of the Pacific Ocean States and South-East Asia then as Head of the Department for Evaluating and Planning
1987: received the highest post-graduate degree of Doctor of Science
1989: led the Analysis and Forecasting Center of the Secretariat of the USSR Supreme Council
1992: received the highest diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation
Undertook duties of Russian Ambassador to the USA
1993: received the title of "Ambassador of the Year"(USA)
1993-2000: Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs in the State Duma (Russian Parliament) during which time the Duma ratified more than 130 important international agreements
2000-2003: Vice-Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
2004-: Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation
He was one of the founders and leaders of "Yabloko" (one of the powerful parties in Russia), has a high authority among the leaders of government and different political parties in Russia, and influences state and public organisations in the country. His honesty, adherence to principles, and professionalism has won him high respect in Russia and abroad.

Work in the Paralympic Movement:
From 1996: Head of the Paralympic Movement in Russia (and was the first President of the Russian Paralympic Committee)

Being the first President of the Russian Paralympic Committee and with a love of sport, he managed to solve one of the key tasks to achieve equality of sportsmen with and without a disability. On his initiative, grants and monetary prizes were set up for athletes with a disability. He raised the prestige of the Russian Paralympic Committee to promote the development of mass sport for disabled people across the country, to contribute to the stable and guaranteed financial support for disabled people to participate in sport, as well as their preparation for the Paralympic Games, through the state budget, sponsors and other sources.