Legendary Soviet weightlifter dies

Vasily Alekseev, a legendary Soviet weightlifter, a two-time Olympic champion, has passed away. Alekseev died in a clinic in Germany, the Minister for Physical Culture and Sport of Russia's Rostov region, Valery Vakula said.

The renowned athlete came to the cardiological hospital in Munich, Germany, about two weeks ago. Alekseev was staying in hard condition, ITAR-TASS reports.

During his career in sports, Alekseev set 80 world records in the most prestigious - super heavyweight - category. He won the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich and in 1976 in Montreal. The weightlifter was an eight-time world champion. He won eight European weightlifting championships as well as the title of the champion of the USSR seven times.

According to Sovetsky Sport, the legendary athlete holds the world record on the sum of three exercises - 645 kilos. Powerlifting championships are not longer held, so Alekseev's achievement can not be beaten.

On January 7 2012, the weightlifter would have turned 70.