MOSCOW, October 22 (RIA Novosti) - Rinnat Safin, a former Soviet biathlete and four-time World champion, has died at age of 75, the Russian Biathlon Union reported on its website Wednesday.
"All the members of the Russian Biathlon Union express sincere and deep condolences to the family and friends of Rinnat Safin," the statement said.
At the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Safin along with Alexander Tikhonov, Ivan Byakov and Victor Mamatov won gold medals in the relay. Safin also won four gold medals at the world championships in relay and two silver medals (in relay and individuals).
Safin was an Honored Master of Sports (1969) and was awarded with an order of Badge of Honor (1972).