Nikolay Kolumbet was a Soviet cyclist who was active during the 1950s. A four-time national champion, Kolumbet became the first Soviet cyclist to win a stage of the Peace Race, doing so in 1956 when he also finished third overall. From here he was selected to compete in the road race at the Melbourne Olympics, placing 16th in a group of riders just over two minutes behind the race winner. In 1957 and 1958 he won stages of the Tour of Sochi, in addition to riding in the Peace Race again in 1958 and 1959. Following his retirement from the sport Kolumbet became a noted coach, working with multiple champions in both the Soviet Union and Ukraine, including the Olympic gold medallist Igor Tselovalnikov. Nikolay’s younger brother Leonid was also a cyclist and won bronze in the 4,000 metres team pursuit at the 1960 Roma Olympics.
Soviet Union
Ukraine