04-01-2004, 03:36 PM
In the past many Soviet athletes were part of the military.
The most famous sport clubs were under military umbrella - CSKA (army) and Dynamo (police).
As such, athletes were considered in active military duty and held ranks.
Below is rare 1980s photograph of CSKA hockey club members, who were also basic team for the USSR national team. Sitting in the front row are Head Coach V Colonel Tikhonov and top forward Major V Fetisov.
Tikhonov is a Head Coach of Russian team today, and Fetisov ended his career as player in Detroit Red Wings team in the USA and currently is Minister af Sports in Russia.
William
The most famous sport clubs were under military umbrella - CSKA (army) and Dynamo (police).
As such, athletes were considered in active military duty and held ranks.
Below is rare 1980s photograph of CSKA hockey club members, who were also basic team for the USSR national team. Sitting in the front row are Head Coach V Colonel Tikhonov and top forward Major V Fetisov.
Tikhonov is a Head Coach of Russian team today, and Fetisov ended his career as player in Detroit Red Wings team in the USA and currently is Minister af Sports in Russia.
William
