Latvian javelin thrower who represented the Soviet Union for most of his career and won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
He started training for Olympic events at a young age.
He's best known for his controversial win of the gold medal in men's javelin throw at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
His parents raised him in Tukums, Latvia.
He and Keshorn Walcott were both javelin throwers.