Anatoly Polivoda, a former USSR national basketball player, has died at the age of 76, as reported by the Basketball Federation of Ukraine’s official site. The death occurred on January 21, and no official reason was given at the time of the announcement.
Polivoda left a lasting imprint on the game, celebrated for his role on the Olympic stage and his success across European and world championships. He earned a gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, a moment that became a poignant chapter in sports history. He faced a heart-related challenge before the final match against Team USA, and he watched the decisive game from the stands. In later years, medical professionals determined that Polivoda had congenital Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition that can complicate physical activity and everyday life. A surgical procedure in 1985 helped address some of these issues, marking a turning point in his health and life after competition.
In addition to the Munich gold, Polivoda secured a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City with the USSR national team. His career also featured a trio of European titles in 1967, 1969 and 1971. He was part of the world champion team in 1967 and claimed the USSR national league championship in 1967 as well. These achievements underscored a career that bridged the Soviet era of basketball and a broader period of international competition that captivated fans across continents.
At present, the only survivors from the 1972 USSR Olympic basketball squad are Ivan Edeshko and Modestas Paulauskas, witnesses to a team that left a lasting legacy in Olympic competition.
Additionally, there is a mention of a separate matter regarding a former Russian basketball star who faced disqualification for drugs. This note appears independent of Polivoda’s record and is not connected to the documented career and life events described here.