Brothers Znamensky - Serafim Ivanovich and Georgiy Ivanovich. Biography, sport achievements. People-legends

The Znamensky brothers are outstanding Soviet athletes of the 30s of the 20th century. Their names are still shrouded in glory. The brothers are called only legends people. After all, in just 12 months, young people managed to pass the path from unknown novices to champions of the USSR. The Znamensky brothers, namely about them and will be discussed in this article, became the pride of Soviet sports of the pre-war period. Their fate in many respects repeated shots from films of that time about the workers who have received universal recognition exclusively at the cost of their own work. Only the brothers managed to realize this in real life. Imagine when the Znamensky first came out on the racetracks, George was thirty, and Seraphim - twenty-seven years. Usually at this age athletes are already finishing their careers. The sports life of these outstanding athletes was short, but full of memorable and colorful events. Few know that at that time Seraphim and George lived in Nikolsko-Arkhangelsk. From there to the place of work (the factory "Hammer and Sickle") they made crosses. And this is about sixteen kilometers a day.

A family

The Znamensky brothers were born in the village of Zelenaya Sloboda. George was born in 1903, and Serafim - in 1906. The father of boys Ivan Vasilievich was the local abbot of the church. Villagers spoke of him as a kind and calm person. Ivan Vasilyevich married the daughter of a village priest named Anfisa Ivanovna. She bore him six daughters and four sons.

Anfisa Ivanovna was engaged in both the economy and the education of children. She played the piano and knew French well. Every child from the Znamensky family was taught a musical notation, and after passing the exam before the head of the family and his relatives. Especially Anfisa Ivanovna was pleased with Seraphim. At the age of 13, the boy served as a sexton in his father's church and had excellent vocal data. He was very musical. Sometimes Serafim woke up at night and wrote for a long time in a music notebook. And in the morning the whole Znamensky family listened to his works. George was also calm towards music. Nevertheless, he always praised his brother after home concerts and hoped that he would become "Chopin". But fate has prepared the boys a completely different path.

Unlike his brother, Georgy Znamensky was athletic since childhood. At twenty he was considered the strongest guy in the whole of Green Sloboda. Already at that time the younger Znamensky sat on a kind of diet without any delicacies - potatoes, rye bread and milk. They did not need anything else. As for milk, George and Seraphim drank one bucket for two each day.

Mentor

The elder brother Sergey was actively engaged in the education of the younger ones. He visited the First World War, having received the rank of officer. He returned home after a concussion received at the front. Sergei immediately noticed that younger brothers grow thin and weak. He himself, being a student of a military school, "fell ill" with sports. The young man seriously considered the career of an athlete and dreamed of winning competitions. Therefore, Sergei actively instilled love for the sport of George and Seraphim. Also, the elder brother actively participated in public life - in the neighboring Kazan he organized an acrobatic workshop at the factory.

Accident

Soon the family of Znamensky had trouble. A horse came to Georgy on agricultural work. His family feared that he would remain a cripple for life. But the operation ended successfully, and this serious injury does not prevent him in the future to set world records in athletics. Then George went to serve in the Black Sea Fleet. And hardly died there. About the tragic case, George told in a letter to his brother Sergei. He, along with four colleagues, sailed on a lifeboat during planned exercises. Suddenly she turned over, and only George managed to swim out. And this despite the fact that his leg was wrapped around an anchor rope. Sports training played an important role here. If not for her, then Znamensky could not so quickly unravel and swim to the surface. George repeatedly thanked Sergei for the fact that he introduced him to the sport. In 1926, he graduated from high school, hitting the junior commanders of coastal artillery. Then a few more years he was in the Navy.

Moving to Nikolskoye

In 1931 George arrived in Moscow and got a job at the factory "Hammer and Sickle." The young man searched long and hard for housing in the capital, but he did not get anything done. As a result, I had to settle down with the lovely old woman Alexandra Efimovna on the 5th line of the Nikolskoe station (14 kilometers from the city). This grandmother was the sister of the Ballak priest, whom the future champion knew well, living with him in his native village next door. George settled in the attic. After a while he moved his brother to his place. At first Serafim got a job as a geodesic technician, and then worked as an ancillary in the construction of a laundry factory near Taganka. At work, the brothers always traveled together. Rarely on transport, and more often - making cross.

Spartan way of life

In Nikolsky Znamensky immediately noticed. In February 1932, the wife of the elder brother, Masha, came to George. She could not find their place of residence for a long time. But when I asked the local boys about the two guys who are constantly running, they immediately took her to the right place.

Mistress Alexandra Efimovna complained to Masha about the brothers. Frosts were strong, and she was worried that young people would die in the attic. The old woman regularly knocked a stick at the ceiling and shouted Seraphim and George, asking if it was cold to them. "What are you, grandmother! We are hot! "- Answered the future champions. Since the young people settled in her by acquaintance, Alexandra Efimovna initially planned to move them to the room as soon as the lower tenants came. But when this happened, the seasoned Georgians and Seraphim did not want to move. So they stayed in the attic.

The Znamensky brothers lived, like Spartans, ate exceptionally black bread, and almost always got to work on the run. George was very glad to see the daughter-in-law. But I did not change my habits. When a young man came home from work, he always asked her to warm the boiling water, and if she had managed to come to the pond, where he had been actively training. And George did not even change clothes, only took a towel with him and ran away. The daughter-in-law visited him in about half an hour. By that time he was still winding circles, and after - diving into wormwood, complaining about the limited space. Seeing this bath, Maria advised Georgi to take Alexander Efimovna with him at least once. According to the girl, the mistress of the house would immediately cease to worry that he would freeze in the attic.

Training

At that time, sport in the Soviet Union was not very popular. The first Games took place in 1928. It was after its holding that different federations of sports of the USSR and sections began to be created. The greatest popularity was gained by agitpropages and relay races. Sometimes there were curiosities. For example, in the autumn of 1929 an anti-alcohol run was organized along the streets of the capital with corresponding banners and slogans. Everything went well, until at the finish of the Three Hills the tired stayer was met by an orchestra of heavily drunk musicians ...

George was very enthusiastic about training and decided to move to a higher level. Now the young man ran not on the pond, but at the stadium "Hammer and Sickle." At first, a muscular and strong guy in a vest was considered a dandy. But he very quickly proved that it is the fastest in crosses. And Serafim Znamensky then only looked closely at the enthusiasm of George, jogging near the pond in Nikolsky. Laying themselves to sleep in their attic, the brothers dreamed of studying and of good work.

First successes

The appearance of Znamensky in the sport was rather unusual. This happened in the summer of 1932. The employees and workers of the Sickle and the Hammer undertook the surrender of the TRP standards. One of the disciplines was a 1,000 meter race. Serafim and George so briskly overcame this distance that the judges did not believe either the stopwatch or their eyes. Having been offended by distrust, the brothers again went to the start and ran even faster.

The first serious test for Serafim was participation in the run for the Gorky prize. The total number of competing athletes reached 100 people. Znamensky fled at his usual pace, as in training in the Green Sloboda, and then in Nikolsky. Athletes started in Khimki and crossed the finish line on Tverskaya Central Telegraph. Serious sensation arose, after all Serafim bypassed Malyayev himself (the country's record holder). But the unforeseen happened - for 300 meters before the finish Znamensky got confused and turned into an alley. When the athlete realized his mistake, it was too late - Maliaev had already completed the race. But all the runners and fans congratulated the newcomer, prophesying him great success in the sport.

Relay race

Indeed, for the brothers everything was just beginning. Once Serafim had to replace the sick George in his team "Hammer and Sickle." Coach Chulitsky was categorically against. But George decided to convince the mentor, telling about their pair crosses from Moscow to Nikolsky. Also Znamensky told about the case when they managed to overtake the car. First, of course, the car was in the lead, and then the motor went out of order, and the brothers, waving their hand to the driver, continued their cross. The coach did not believe, and then he agreed. And he did not regret his decision. According to the results of the race Chulitsky realized that for athletes Serafim Znamensky the main priority was athletics. Relay 10 × 1,000 meters was won only thanks to the talent of the young man. Later, Chulicki many times praised the Znamensky brothers for other athletes. He talked about their crosses from Nikolsky to Moscow, about hard work and no less difficult training after it. Chulitskii considered the Znamensky to be a born-again stayer.

Victories and records

Nikolsky became a native for George and Seraphim. They even bought a half-house from Alexandra Efimovna. Soon their elder brother Sergei and his family came to the capital. Seraphim and George gave way to a loft and a room. Sergei immediately got a job as an instructor in physical education.

In 1933, Serafim became the champion of the USSR. He managed to run 3,000 meters faster than 9 minutes. A year later the Znamensky came even more successful. They set six records of the country, and also made a triple winning double at the USSR Championship. Seraphim took gold at the distances of 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 m. And George received silver.

International Glory

In February 1935, the newspaper "L'Humanite" organized an international cross in Paris. Znamensky went to competitions in the USSR national team. In the stadium with 30 thousand spectators, the brothers won a double victory at a distance of 8 km. The first finish line was crossed by Seraphim, and immediately after him - George. Two years later, they repeated their success in Paris, but at a distance of 9.4 km. See their new start gathered already 60,000 athletes. And in 1938 Seraphim and George won a double victory for the third time. The French, delighted with their skill, established a prize for the brothers Znamensky on the "L'Humanite" cross.

Records and awards

From 1933 to 1940 the heroes of this article 7 times became prizewinners and 11 times won in the championships of the USSR. The brothers set 24 records in individual races. In addition, Georgy became the USSR champion in the relay 4 x 1,500 m. Also Znamensky established a number of all-Union achievements in the Moscow "Spartak". In particular, in the relay race 10 x 1,000 m. And the brothers became the first athletes, who were awarded the highest government awards.

Znamensky were the strongest athletes not only in his own country. Their results showed that they are among the best runners in Europe and the whole planet. If it were not for the policy of the USSR, they would have long established world records in track and field athletics at international competitions. Znamensky never had the chance to perform at the European Championships and the Olympic Games. At that time, the USSR was not a member of the IAAF, since it did not recognize this organization. And only those athletes whose countries were members of the International Athletics Association could participate in the official start.

Learning

In 1936, another dream came true for the brothers - they were admitted to the Medical Institute (Moscow). They successfully graduated in 1941. Unfortunately, as an athlete Znamensky could not take part in the championship of the continent. But George in 1946 (Serafim has already died) went to the European championship in Oslo as a doctor of the USSR national track and field athletes.

War

It was 1941, which changed the destinies of many people. A few days after the start of the battles, the military organized a Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (OMSBON). The command posts in it were taken by well-known Soviet athletes and officers of the Dzerzhinsky Division, which was based in Nikolsky. Seraphim and George did not wait for the agendas and they themselves came to the military enlistment office. They were attached to the medical unit of the above mentioned brigade. There the brothers also served in the war years.

Death

In May 1942, Serafim received a letter informing him of the death of his mother Anfisa Ivanovna. This news was for the young man a powerful blow. The same day he committed suicide. And four years later, George died of stomach cancer. People-legends left this world, but their names will never be forgotten. Partly this is promoted by the annual competitions held in honor of Seraphim and George.

Memorial of the brothers Znamensky

The first tournament in memory of the heroes of this article was held in July 1949. Then, at a distance of 1,500 meters, Alexander Pugachevsky defeated, and Nikifor Popov won by 5,000 meters. It is noteworthy that Popov, four days before the competition, improved the last all-Union record belonging to Znamensky. Their achievement at a distance of 5,000 meters lasted as much as 9 years.

For the first time the Memorial of the Znamensky brothers was held in July 1958. Competitions were held in full, except for the multi-race, relay race and marathon race. Athletes from 10 countries came to honor the memory of Serafim and George. In the future, these competitions were introduced into the international track and field calendar and began to be held on an annual basis. It is worth noting that the Memorial of the Znamensky brothers gave a ticket to a big sport for more than one generation of runners. Among the winners of these competitions are athletes from 50 countries, including Olympic champions from different years - Ruth Fuchs, Vera Krepkina, Irena Krishenstein, Janis Lusis, Jozef Schmidt, Petr Bolotnikov, Victor Saneev, Valery Brumel, Kipchigo Keino, Livio Berriuti and many others. .

In 1961 in Moscow (Sokolniki) was opened track and field athletics stadium of the brothers Znamensky. The school of the Olympic Reserve, which was attached to it, was repeatedly recognized as the best sports institution in the country. Among her graduates there are quite a few world record-holders and champions, for example: L. Zavyalova (4 х 400 m), V. Polyakov (pole), O. Bogoslovskaya (4 х 100 m), P. Bochkarev (pole), A. Biryukova ( Triple jump), A. Loginov (800 m), L. Nikitin (all-around), M. Schennikov (walking), D. Bogryanov (length), I. Pavlov (pole), N. Lisovskaya (core), P. Bolotnikov (10 000 m) and many others. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Russian national team included five pupils of this school.

Conclusion

The life of Seraphim and George is a story of survival and struggle for one's place through work and complete self-giving. Only because of this they achieved such outstanding results. The fate of George and Seraphim is a feat, or a classic of the Soviet way of life. Their names perpetuated the Moscow Stadium of the Znamensky brothers, annual competitions, as well as many established records.