Mikhail Ivanov

Mikhail Ivanov was born on 20 November 1977 in Ostrov, Russia. He is a retired cross-country skier who won a gold Olympic medal in the 50 km event in 2002 in Salt Lake City. However Ivanov finished on 2nd place but was awarded the gold medal in 2004 upon Johann Mühlegg's blood-doping disqualification of darbepoetin. Ivanov's career began in 1996 and it lasted until 2007. He won the bronze medal in the 30 km event at the 2001 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti. During his career Ivanov achieved two World Cup victories - the 30 km in 2000 and the 15 km in 2001. Among his Top 10 finishes, count 5th in the 15 km in Krasnogorsk on 21 December 2005 and on 26 December 2006 placed 3rd in the 15 km in Syktyvkar. Announced his retirement from the sport in 2007.