Andrey Lavrov

The Legendary Soviet and Russian Handball Goalkeeper, the Only Three-Time Handball Champion in the History of the Olympic Games, the Only Male Handball Player to Take Part in Five Olympic Games, the Most Decorated Handball Player on the Planet

Three-time Olympic champion (1988, 1992, 2000), bronze medalist of the Olympic Games (2004), two-time world champion (1993, 1997), European champion (1996), silver medalist of the world championships (1990, 1999), silver medalist of the European championships (1994 , 2000), winner of the Goodwill Games (1990), silver medalist of the Goodwill Games (1994), champion of the USSR (1991) and the CIS (1992).

Permanent captain of the Russian national handball team from 1995 to 2004, the best handball player of the 20^th century in Russia. He played 312 matches for the national team and scored 1 goal. Lavrov was the flag-bearer of the Russian Olympic team at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

He played for the club "SKIF" (Krasnodar), clubs in Germany, France and Croatia. Winner of the Cups of France, Germany and Croatia. Silver and bronze medalist of the French championship, champion of Croatia. He was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the German championship.

Recognized four times as the best goalkeeper in the world (1992, 1997, 1999, 2000). He was a member of the symbolic teams of the world (1990, 1993, 1995) and Europe (1994, 1995). In 2000, as a result of a survey conducted by the International Handball Federation, he was recognized as the third handball player on the planet in the 20^th century.

In 2005-2011 – Member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (the upper house of parliament), member of the Federation Council Committee on Budget, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Commission on Youth and Sports.

In 2011-2018 - First Vice-President of the Handball Union of Russia.

Awards

• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th degree – for his great contribution to the development of physical culture and sports, for high sports achievements at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney
• Order of Honour – for merits in the development of physical culture and sports
• Order of Friendship – for a great contribution to the development of physical culture and sports and high sports achievements
• Order of the Badge of Honour
• Honoured Master of Sports of Russia
• Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR
• Medal “Hero of Labor of the Kuban”
• Honorary Citizen of Krasnodar

Speaking topics:

• Handball
• Physical education and sports
• Motivation