Vladimir Akimov began his spectacular water polo career with club CSK of the Navy (CSK Navi) alongside his brothers, Nikolay and Victor. Vladimir claimed his Olympic gold in 1980 and Nikolay played on the 1972 Olympic champion team while Viktor was many times a national champion. The brothers were involved in the golden era of Soviet water polo when so many champions were on the world stage.
Because of the boycott that saw the USA not attend the 1980 Olympics, the USSR proved that it was rightfully Olympic champion by travelling to Long Beach, USA in 1981, beating all the top teams to secure the World Cup.

1983 became critical in Vladimir Akimov’s life. On the one hand — the last victories: a victory on the Sports contest of the people of the USSR, a victory in the USSR 1983 championship, and on the other hand, an expulsion from the USSR national team, and then his withdrawal from CSK Navy
military team. In the result of conflict with the senior trainer, Vladimir became a reserve player, which was just unacceptable for ambitions of the Olympic champion and the world champion.
Vladimir’s friend, 1980 Olympic champion and Honoured Master of Sports Mikhail Ivanov (“Dynamo”, Moscow) said in an interview: “Vladimir Akimov’s expulsion from the national team of the Union became the real shock not only for our fans of water polo, but also for all rivals — team players of Germany, Yugoslavia, Hungary and others who always asked: ‘Will he be back in the lineup of the team or not?’ His opponents feared him and respected him simultaneously!”

He will be remembered as agreat athlete, a reliable friend and a man with an inexhaustible sense of humor. He tragically passed away at age 34, on October 5, 1987.
Come join Akimov’s son Roman and the rest of this year’s Class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.
If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN) 2023
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111. Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $199 per night
~ TICKET INFORMATION ~
Friday, October 4, 2024: Includes:
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) Induction Ceremony
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and
The ISHOF Specialty Awards
Click here to purchase tickets: MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024: Includes
The 59th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Induction Ceremony
The Al Schoenfield Media Award and
The 2024 ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here to purchase tickets: INDUCTION