Viktor Konoplyov

Viktor Konoplyov (Polevoi) (Russian: Виктор Коноплёв (Полевой); born 1 June 1938) is a retired Russian freestyle swimmer who won a gold and a silver medal in the 4×100 m medley relay at the European championships of 1958 and 1962. Between 1958 and 1962 he set four European records in the 4×100 m medley and freestyle relays. He won the national titles in the 100 m freestyle (1961–1963) and 4×100 m medley (1960).

He graduated from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism in Moscow, and after retirement worked as a national swimming coach and associated professor at various universities. He was one of the first Soviet swimmers to develop an optimal turning technique in freestyle. He holds a PhD in pedagogy and was awarded the Medal "Veteran of Labour".