Igor Zhelezovski

Belarusian speed skater (1963–2021)

Igor Nikolayevich Zhelezovski or Ihar Mikałajevič Žalazoŭski (Russian: Игорь Николаевич Железовский; Belarusian: Ігар Мікалаевіч Жалязоўскі; 1 July 1963 – 12 June 2021) was a Soviet and Belarusian speed skater.

Igor Zhelezovski
Zhelezovski in 1994
Personal information
Birth nameIgor Nikolayevich Zhelezovski
Nickname(s)Bear from Minsk [1]
NationalityBelarusian
Born(1963-07-01)1 July 1963
Orša, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union
Died12 June 2021(2021-06-12) (aged 57)
Minsk, Belarus
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb)
Sport
Country Soviet Union
 CIS
 Belarus
SportSpeed skating
ClubSK VS Minsk
Turned pro1982
Retired1994
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)500 m: 36.49 (1988)
1000 m: 1:12.58 (1989)
1500 m: 1:52.50 (1987)
3000 m: 4:12.85 (1988)
5000 m: 7:09.84 (1983)
10 000 m: 15:40.82 (1983)
Medal record
Men's speed skating
Olympic Games
Representing the  Soviet Union
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Calgary 1000 m
Representing  Belarus
Silver medal – second place 1994 Lillehammer 1000 m
World Sprint Championships
Representing the  Soviet Union
Gold medal – first place 1985 Heerenveen Sprint
Gold medal – first place 1986 Karuizawa Sprint
Gold medal – first place 1989 Heerenveen Sprint
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Tromsø Sprint
Gold medal – first place 1991 Inzell Sprint
Representing  CIS
Gold medal – first place 1992 Oslo Sprint
Representing  Belarus
Gold medal – first place 1993 Ikaho Sprint

Zhelezovski won silver at the World Junior Allround Championships in 1982. He became World Sprint Champion in 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

He won a silver medal in the 1000m event at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.[2]

Zhelezovski died of COVID-19 on 12 June 2021, at the age of 57.[3]

References change