Ivan Patzaichin

Ivan Patzaichin (born November 26, 1949) is a retired Romanian flatwater canoer who won seven Olympic medals, four gold and three silver, more than any other competitor in the history of the Canadian canoeing events.

He also won eight world championship gold medals:-
* C1 1000m (1973, 1977)
* C1 10,000m (1978)
* C2 500m (1979)
* C2 1000m (1970, 1981, 1983)
* C2 10,000m (1982) Born in Mila 23, Tulcea County, to a Russian Lipovan family, he was a member of the Dinamo Bucharest canoe club. When he retired, Patzaichin became a coach and is now head of the Romanian national team, known as "Amiralul" ("The Admiral"). His pupils, including Olympic champion Florin Popescu, have won over one hundred sprint canoe titles.

References

* [http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/pa/ivan-patzaichin-1.html Profile]