Ivan Ivankov: Jack of all trades, master of some
 Ivan Ivankov hits the vault during the men's all-around finals at the Sydney Games.AFP/File |  |
A gymnast since the age of six, Belarussia's Ivan Ivankov was a serious all-around contender for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney after winning gold at the 1994 and 1997 World Championships.
But he saw his medal hopes slip away when he could only finish fourth in the all-around competition as former compatriot Russian Alexei Nemov took the Olympic title.
There was then further disappointment at the 2001 World Championships, as he set out for a record third title only to see it snatched from his grasp by Chinese 16-year-old Feng Jing, who relegated him to the silver medal position.
Carrying an injury at the 2003 Worlds he ended 11th in the all-around, though Russia won qualification for the Athens Games where he can have another crack at the Olympic title.
Back in 1994 Ivankov's career had seemed on the verge of blossoming.
As individual all-around world champion that year, it seemed that an heir apparent to the illustrious Vitali Scherbo had finally stepped forward.
But only a year later Achilles tendon problems deprived him of participation in the 1995 World Championships in Sabae, Japan.
As a major favourite for the 1996 Olympic Games, Ivankov had already arrived in Atlanta when his tendon gave way during training - a soul-destroying episode which left him spectating from the stands and anticipating an unwelcome operation.
Since then, he has been left with a wide scar on his right calf - though the injury which caused him so much physical pain and mental anguish now seems to be behind him.
He has come back to form with consistent displays in most events, although without being an outright specialist on any particular apparatus.
Ivankov's collection of numerous medals from major international competitions over the past five years is testament to his all-round ability.
Injury then struck again in 2002, forcing him out of the European Championships, and he will now hope to put bad luck behind him and have a healthy chance at the Athens Games in 2004.
Ivan Ivankov
>Date of birth: April 10 1975
>Place of birth: Minsk (Belarus)
>Height: 167cm
>Weight: 62kg
>Performances
World Championships: All-around : 1st (1994, 1997), 2nd (2001), 11th (2003), Team: 1st (2001), 2nd (1997), 3rd (1999), Rings: 3rd (1993, 1997), Parallel bars: 3rd (1994, 2001), Pommel horse: 6th (2003), High bar: 7th (2003)
European Championships: All-around : 1st (1994, 1996), 2nd (2000), Team: 1st (1994), 3rd (1996), Floor: 2nd (1994, 1996), Pommel horse: 2nd (1996), Rings: 3rd (2000), Parallel bars: 2nd (2000), Horizontal bar: 2nd (2000)
World Cup: 1st (1998)
