'There is only one Alexander Medved'



After winning his third consecutive Olympic freestyle gold medal, in 1972, Alexander Medved of the Soviet Union reportedly was offered an opportunity to join the lucrative ranks of professional wrestlers in the United States.

Medved said "nyet", adding: "In America there are many millionaires, but in the USSR there is only one Medved."

The entire episode may be fanciful, given that in 1972 the old Soviet Union was not in the habit of allowing elite athletes to emigrate, nor to allow them to do interviews with the media lackeys of the corrupt West. But it probably is an accurate assessment of the esteem in which wrestlers are held there, particularly one as successful as was Medved.

He began wrestling in 1956 while in the Soviet army, and he won his first Olympic gold at Tokyo in 1964, in the light-heavyweight division.

At Mexico City in 1968, he won the heavyweight gold despite suffering a dislocated finger in a match versus the German Wilfried Dietrich. Medved popped the finger back into place himself.

In 1972 he took the superheavyweight gold despite weighing no more than 105kg. His best-known victory in Munich was over the 190kg American Chris Taylor, a controversial 1-0 decision.

Medved was dominant in other championships, as well, losing only once in a world final between 1962 and 1972.

Fila, wrestling's world governing body, named him the freestyle wrestler of the 20th century, the bookend to Alexander Karelin, who was named the Greco-Roman wrestler of the century.

Medved, however, retired after a victory, at Munich. After clinching the gold, he kissed the mat.

Now 74, the published author of two books on wrestling and a former university administrator lives in Minsk, the capital of Belarus.

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Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

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Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Director: Todd Phillips 

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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