10 Facts About Ivan Ivankov

The 1994 and 1997 all-around World Champion, and the 1994 and 1996 all-around European Champion, Ivankov has competed for over a decade on the international circuit.

Ivan Ivankov had to share a third place with another competitor, after which, the bronze Olympic medal wasn't given to him.

Ivan Ivankov began gymnastics at the age of 6, and by the time he was 14, was a member of the Soviet national junior team, training at the prestigious Round Lake national gymnastics center.

Ivan Ivankov competed at both the 1992 Junior European Championships, where he helped the Belarusian team to a gold medal finish, and the senior European Championships in Budapest, where he placed 13th in the all-around.

Ivan Ivankov competed in his first World Championships in 1993, where he won a bronze medal on the rings.

Ivan Ivankov's condition was considered to be career-ending only a year after rupturing his Achilles, Ivankov returned to win his second all-around gold medal at the 1997 World Championships.

In 2000, Ivankov competed in the 2000 Olympics where he finished 4th in the all-around, and 5th in the individual parallel bars and still rings event finals.

In 2001, Ivankov led the Belarusian team to the gold medal at the World Championships in Ghent, Belgium.

In 2001, Ivankov married Suzyanna, an aerobics instructor and Belarusian television personality.

In 2001, Ivankov was named godfather to Alexei Nemov's son.