First Deputy Chair of the Committee for International Affairs of the State Duma of Russia, Olympic champion

Born on 7 January 1972 in Pavlovo-on-Neva, Leningradskaya region

1979–1986: studied in Kirov then at the Olympic Reserve College №2 in St. Petersburg
1988-2006: member of the Russian and Soviet skating team
1996: Honoured Master of Sports, member of the "Dynamo" sports association
1999: graduated with honours from the Russian State Academy of Physical Culture
Master's degree in physical culture; university professor
2010: graduated from the Academy of State Service under the President of the Russian Federation specialising in "state regulation of the market economy"

Sporting achievements:
1991-2006: USSR and Russian champion in 500m
1995: silver medallist in sprint all-round events
1996: bronze medallist in sprint all-round events
1996: World Cup winner in 500m
1996: world champion in 500m
1997: Russian champion in sprint all-round events
1998: silver medallist in 500m
1999: silver medallist in 500m
1999: silver medallist in sprint all-round events
2000: silver medallist in 500m
2000: Russian champion in sprint all-round events
2002: Russian champion in sprint all-round events
2001: bronze medallist in 500m
2004: Russian champion in sprint all-round events
2005: Russian champion in sprint all-round events
2006: world champion in sprint all-round events
Repeated World Championships winner of sprint all-round events in 500m and 1000m
2006: Olympic champion
Participant of four Olympic Winter Games

Vice-President of the Russian Association of Sport Venues

Awards and honours:
2007: appreciation of the President of the Russian Federation for proactive participation in Sochi's winning bid to stage the XXII Winter Olympic and XI Winter Paralympic Games in 2014
2008: appreciation of the President of the Russian Federation for proactive participation in the election campaign (2008)
2010: Order of Honour
Sign of Honour "For achievement in sport" 1st class of "Dynamo"
Sign of Honour "For Honesty and Incorruptibility"
Medal "For Service" 3rd class of Federal Service of Penalty