Yevgeny Samsonov

Competing for the Krylya Sovetov Moskva eights team that dominated the Soviet and European rowing scene in the mid-1950s, Yevgeny Samsonov won silver at the 1952 Olympics, was the European eights champion from 1953-55, and won the Henley Royal Regatta Grand Challenge Cup in 1954. Domestically he was on Krylya Sovetov eights crew that won Soviet titles in 1949, 1952-54 and 1956.

After finishing his sporting career, Samsonov worked as a rowing coach in Moscow, his most famous pupils being the Olympic champions Aleksandr Timoshinin, Anatoly Sass and Gennady Korshikov. From 1959-76, Samsonov was head coach of the Soviet national rowing team and also was the manager of five consecutive Soviet Olympic rowing teams starting in 1960.

In 1976 Samsonov was named head of the rowing department at the State Central Order of Lenin Institute of Physical Education (now Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism) and from 1977-81 was the director of Krylatskoye Rowing Canal, where the rowing and canoeing competitions were held during 1980 Olympics. Since 1981 Samsonov has served as an international rowing referee, officiating many international and domestic tournaments.