Vyacheslav Fetisov, Alexey Kasatonov, Sergey Makarov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Krutov

These five legendary Russian ice hockey players - and Olympic Winter Games gold medallists - represented their country during the amazingly successful 1980s, 1990s and into the 21st Century.

Vyacheslav Fetisov, the current Sports Minister for Russia, is widely acclaimed as one of the best defensemen of all time. His playing career spanned 23 years, taking him from CSKA Moscow to the New Jersey Red Devils and finally to the Detroit Red Wings. During this time he became one of the most decorated players ever - winning two gold and one silver medals at the Olympic Winter Games; seven gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships; and two Stanley Cups. He was further recognized when he was merited as a Master of Sports. He is credited with paving the way for Russians in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is currently Head of Rossport (the Federal Sports Agency) in Moscow.

Vyacheslav Fetisov said:

"There are three main reasons why people should support the Sochi 2014 Bid. Firstly, the region would be left with an amazing legacy through the infrastructure and development of the region that the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would provide. Secondly, despite topping the medals table on several occasions, Sochi 2014 would be the first Winter Games held in Russia. Thirdly, it would be the perfect way to promote incredible change in Russia and invite the world to experience this at first hand."
Vyacheslav Fetisov was born on 20th April 1958 in Moscow, Russia.

Alexey Kasatonov is a world-renowned Russian former defenseman. Kasatonov was a long-standing member of the national team whilst playing club hockey for SKA Leningrad, CSKA Moscow, New Jersey Devils, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins. During his glittering career he was merited as a Master of Sport; won two golds and one silver at the Olympic Winter Games; and five golds at the World Championships. He has managed the Russian National team and is currently head coach of Columbia University, USA.

Alexey Kasatonov was born on 14th October 1959 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Sergey Makarov played right-wing for the national team and formed part of the legendary KLM forward line with Vladimir Krutov and Igor Larionov. He won Olympic Winter Games golds in 1984 and 1988, as well as a silver medal in 1980 and enjoyed club successes with CSKA Moscow, the Calgary Flames, the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars. During his career, Makarov received great individual acclaim, including being crowned "Soviet Player of the Year" eight times, "Soviet Top Points Scorer" nine times, "Best Player at the World Junior Championships" and following the culmination of his career his induction into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area of the USA.

Sergey Makarov was born on 19th June 1958 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Igor Larionov was the centre forward of the famous KLM attack and only stopped playing in 2004. His career which took him from CSKA Moscow to the Detroit Red Wings and on to Sweden with Brunflo IK. He won two Olympic Winter Games golds and a bronze; four golds, one silver and one bronze at the World Championships; and three Stanley Cups. Larionov is now married to the former figure-skater Elena Botanova and lives in the USA.

Igor Larionov said:

"We enjoyed some of our best career moments at the Olympic Winter Games and will never forget those memories. They will inspire a future generation of athletes and sports fans to embrace our dream and help us to show the world the passion involved in Sochi 2014. I'm sure we now have a chance to give something back to the Olympic Movement by hosting the best Winter Games ever and the first in Russia."

Igor Larionov was born on 3rd December 1960 in Voskresensk, Russia.

Vladimir Krutov formed part of the legendary KLM forward line in the Russian national team, with Sergey Makarov and Igor Larionov. Krutov is a two-time Olympic Winter Games gold medalist, one-time silver medalist and a Master of Sport. He also won six golds (1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990), one silver (1987), and one bronze (1985) at the World Championships during a very successful career playing for the Russian national ice hockey team. Krutov played his club ice hockey for CSKA Moscow for eleven years and was one of the first Russian players to break into the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks. At the end of his playing career he became a coach and is now Head of the Moscow Sports Mastery School.

Vladimir Krutov was born on 1st June 1960 in Moscow, Russia.

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