Vladimir Artemov was born in Vladimir City, Russia. He began training in 1972 at The Special Gymnastics School of Olympic Reserves as a pupil of Victor Firsov. In 1982 he made the national team. Along with his regular training as a gymnast, Vladimir also attended The Teaching Institute for Physical Culture.

Vladimir competed in many major competitions throughout his career in competitive gymnastics. These competitions included the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea in which he placed first all around and won four gold medals and one silver, four world championship in which he won a total of thirteen medals, on World Cup, and one University Games in which he won a total of five medals. The four gold medals won by Vladimir in the 1988 Olympics were the most medals won by a male competitor in twenty-eight years. Also, because of the boycott of 1984 Vladimir could not compete in the 1984 Olympics but in that year did compete in the Friendship Games (Goodwill Games). Vladimir placed second all around in this competition winning two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.

While still living in the Soviet Union, Vladimir was invited to the Kremlin, in Moscow, to eat dinner with Micheal Gorbachev, the former president. This was not the only time he was acknowledged for his accomplishments by the government. He was also awarded two ordens. These ordens are not only given to citizens of the Soviet Union, but also to individuals worldwide who excel in certain areas. There are seven different ordens that are given out. He was given the 3rd and 4th (Orden Znak Pocheta and Orden Druzbi Narodov). Vladimir has also earned all three levels of “Mastery of the Sport.”

In 1990 Vladimir was invited to the U.S. b the United States Gymnastics Federation. The invitation went through Gosceem Sport of the U.S.S.R. Soon after being invited to the U. S. Vladimir was asked to stay here. He accepted the offer to work in the U.S.

Some other major awards and accomplishments Vladimir has achieved include receiving a certificate from CHAAD for working with children with attention deficit, coaching the National Jr. Vaulting Champion in 1994, and being invited by the I.O.C to be a speaker at the Olympic Centennial Congress in Paris in which he spoke on the subject of “Sport for All.” In 1995 Vladimir became a U.S. citizen.

Currently, Vladimir is working along side his wife Susan and for USA Gymnastics (formerly the United States Gymnastics Federation) as a member of the Women’s National Coaching Staff in which he travels nationally and internationally doing clinics and teaching gymnastics. Vladimir also has made several educational videos covering certain areas of gymnastics.

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