there, but moved to the USSR during the Spanish Civil War in 1937, and played for Torpedo Moscow in 1947–1954, being the team captain in 1951–1953. In 1972, to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Soviet Union, this title was awarded to the following prominent athletes from Soviet-aligned nations: Maria Gigova (world champion in rhythmic gymnastics) András Balczó (modern pentathlon, Hungarian Sportsman of the Year in 1966, 1968, 1969) Karin Janz (1972 Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics) Li Ho-Jun (1972 Olympic champion in shooting) Teófilo Stevenson (1972 Olympic champion in boxing) (he later won in 1976 and 1980 also) Khorloogiin Bayanmönkh (1972 world champion in freestyle wrestling) Włodzimierz Lubański (1972 Olympic champion in football) Nicolae Martinescu (1972 Olympic champion in wrestling) Ondrej Nepela (1972 Olympic champion in figure skating) Coaches Under the Soviet system, titles were awarded to coaches based on national and international success. Significant International success brought Merited Coach of the USSR while national success was rewarded with Merited Coach of one of the Soviet republics. Merited Coach of the USSR () Merited Coach of the Uzbek SSR () Merited Coach of the Georgian SSR () The same system is in place today for most of the former Soviet republics as well. For example, Merited Coach of Russia () Merited Coach of Ukraine ( Merited Coach of Uzbekistan () Non-Russian coaches Since 2007, a few foreign coaches have been awarded the title of Merited Coach of Russia for their roles in the development of sports in Russia: 2007: David Blatt, coach of the Russian men's basketball team, champions, 2007 European Championships 2008: Giovanni Caprara, coach of the Russian women's volleyball team, champions, 2006 European Championships 2008: Dick Advocaat, football, head coach of Zenit St. Petersburg, champions, 2007–08 UEFA Cup and 2008 UEFA Super Cup 2013: Guus Hiddink, football, coach of Russian national team, bronze medalists, 2008 European Championships 2013: Oleg Znarok, hockey, head coach of Dynamo Moscow, champions, 2011/2012 Gagarin Cup 2013: Harijs Vītoliņš, hockey, assistant coach of Dynamo Moscow, champions, 2012/2013 Gagarin Cup Judges and referees The title of Honored Judge of Russia may be given to sport judges and referees who have reached the level of "All-Russian Sports Official" and have distinguished careers of officiating to their credit. See also Ready for Labour and Defence of the USSR Master of Sports of Russia Unified Sports Classification of Ukraine References External links Mapping of