“During my gymnastics career I was fortunate to compete at a major championships in my home country – at the Goodwill Games in 1994. Sadly, Russia did not host the Olympic Games, but I would have loved to strive for the gold medal in front of our passionate fans, who embody the Olympic Movement. I am backing Sochi’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 because it will leave a lasting legacy for athletes and the Russian people.“

Alexei Nemov is a four-times Olympic Gold medalist with a total medal tally of 12 Olympic medals in the field of artistic gymnastics.

Nemov won his first major medal at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg in 1994 and his first Olympic medal at Atlanta in 1996 – one of six he won at the competition and a feat he repeated at Sydney 2000.

During his career, fans and analysts admired Nemov for being a perfect ambassador for the Olympic Movement, demonstrating the ideal qualities of a world-class gymnast, but also grace and professionalism before retiring shortly after the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

At the age of 14, Nemov was selected for the national junior squad and competed at his first senior event the same year. When he was 16, Nemov made an impressive debut at the 1993 World Championships in Birmingham.

Nemov was born in Barashevo, Russia. He is married to Galina and they have a five year-old son, Alexei.

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