Aleksandr Schultz

After attending a school in Moskva (Moscow), Schultz graduated in 1914 from the Electrical Engineering College and subsequently worked at a plant in Serpukhov near Moscow, which later became part of “Mosenergo” group.

For the Moskva Ski Club, Schultz won silver in the 400 m and long jump at the 1911 Russian Championships. In the Olympic year 1912, he claimed his first championship title in the high hurdles and placed third in the 100 m and the shot put. One year later he became champion in the long jump, second in the 110 m hurdles, and third in the shot put. In 1914, his versatility paid off and he took second place in the decathlon and another third in the 110 m hurdles. With the javelin he held the record for Moskva (Moscow).

At the Stockholm Olympics, he placed 11th in the decathlon, missing a better position mainly in the jumps, and 22nd in the long jump. After his return, he began coaching athletes of his club. One of his protégés was USSR champion and record holder in hammer thrower Aleksandr Chistyakov (1880-?), between the wars also a popular actor in movies. With his achievements in various events Schultz helped his club to win the team score at the Second All-Russian Olympics.

Schultz was also one of the founders of the All-Russian Football Union in 1912 and acted as a referee including some of the early international matches of the Russian team. After World War I, he worked for some years as a teacher of physical education at the State Institute of Physical Culture but also competed in All-Union championships until 1923.

In 1938, Schultz was arrested and convicted by the NKVD for “espionage and sabotage activities in favour of Germany and Japan”. One month later, he was shot at the Butovo firing range. In September 1957, he was rehabilitated.

Personal Best: Dec – 4976 (1912).