Volgograd Bids Farewell to Olympic Coach Yuri Stepanov

A farewell ceremony was held in Volgograd for Yuri Stepanov, a famous rowing coach who trained several Olympic champions. He died on January 23 at the age of 85.

Information about his death was disseminated by the Russian Canoe Federation, which published an obituary in honor of the mentor.

The obituary stated: «Yuri Matveyevich entered the coaching profession in 1964, immediately after graduating from the Volgograd Institute of Physical Education. While many aspired to work with ready-made athletes, he chose the most difficult but most honest path — the path of a teacher. He went to schools, invited all boys indiscriminately to the section, believing that the main thing was not external data, but character, tempered by the will to win,» the obituary said. «Having himself gone through the harsh school of life — evacuation during the war years, service in the Northern Fleet, the toughest competitions — Yuri Stepanov knew the value of overcoming. His own silver medal at the 1967 USSR championship, earned over a 106-kilometer distance, became for him and his future students the main lesson: the most important victory is victory over oneself.»

After ending his coaching career, Yuri Stepanov took up painting. Many of his paintings are dedicated to the successes of his student — Olympic champion Maxim Opalev. As recently as last November during «Museum Night,» the athlete displayed his mentor«s works, noting that they remained in touch. Stepanov himself had planned to attend but could not due to illness.

Maxim Opalev shared memories: «Yuri Matveyevich was for me the first coach who put me in a boat, taught me to row. He tempered our character, taught us not to give up not only in sports but also in life, and to always remain human. He was always so positive, with humor. He always supported me, we stayed in touch. He collected newspaper clippings with me. Some interviews, articles,» Maxim Opalev tells V1.RU. «Yuri Matveyevich was a creative person. He was fond of painting, painted on canvas, although he was self-taught. His whole day was scheduled. Creativity and definitely sports. And so it happened that on the day of his death, he went for a ski walk, took a shower, and passed away... Everything clearly, like a true athlete.»

The funeral of Yuri Stepanov took place at the Motor Cemetery, located in the Dzerzhinsky district of Volgograd.