Serious sports require a full dedication from a person. In recent decades, the sports arena has transformed into a profitable business platform. It is unpleasant for people of Soviet upbringing to watch such a transformation. The years are still fresh in my memory when people were engaged in physical education to strengthen their health, and sports competitions were held to demonstrate the physical and psychological capabilities of a person. The best qualities of the Soviet athlete were demonstrated by Alexander Belov, a basketball player from God.
Accidental discovery
When it comes to talking about an outstanding athlete, the story cannot be complete without mentioning the first coach. Alexander Alexandrovich Belov was born into a family of Leningraders. In November 1951. The child was destined for the usual fate of a Soviet person with a decent education and work for the good of the Motherland. At first, the biography of a young man developed like that of all peers living in the city on the Neva. The young man went to school, hoped to get an education and work in his chosen specialty. I treated physical education as a useful activity in my free time.
Alexander and his classmates attended the track and field section of the local club of the sports society "Spartak". The measured pastime of the teenager was intervened by a lucky chance. The novice basketball coach Vladimir Kondrashin approached his work systematically. He regularly attended sports classes in the city and looked out for promising children to join the game of basketball. It is known that an athlete must be of sufficient height to enter the basketball court. Sasha Belov, already at the age of 10, stretched out almost two meters.
The coach immediately noticed a tall and fragile boy. However, the first conversation ended in vain. Belov showed no interest in the coach's proposal. The career of a professional athlete did not appeal to him. After long and friendly communication, the position of the young man changed. Sasha agreed to try his hand at the game. It is easy to say - agreed. After the decisive conversation, the athlete's daily schedule changed. General physical training, school, special training, rest.
Olympic champion
Love for the chosen business comes with time. As part of the Leningrad "Spartak" Belov entered the site when he was barely 16 years old. In team play, it is very important to find your place and follow the instructions of the coach. This is not to say that everything immediately began to work out for Alexander. It is important to note that both teammates and the coach treated him with respect. But demanding, without the slightest indulgence for age. And he tried not to let his team down. A year later he was invited to the national team of the Union. And in 1969 our team became the winner of the European Championship.
In 1970, our basketball players won the Universiade. In preparation for the 1972 Olympic Games, Belov's candidacy was approved unanimously. The already titled athlete knew very well how “big sport” lives, and what kind of dirty tricks rivals can prepare. The final match of the Olympiad, dramatic and heroic, ended with our victory. And Alexander Belov put the winning point. Films were made about this game, fantastic works and scientific monographs were written.
In a place of honor in his apartment, Belov kept the gold medals of the World Champion-74, the Champion of the USSR-75, the bronze medal of the Olympics-76. Alexander's personal life was standard. Acquaintance with Sasha Ovchinnikova happened in the early 70s. The future husband and wife played the same game - basketball. The time has come and they started a family. The wedding took place in 1977. The young couple did not have time to have children. In October 1978, Alexander Belov died of heart disease.
