I was shocked to see this on Amanda Turner’s Facebook.
Nikolai Yefimovich Andrianov (October 14, 1952 – March 21, 2011) was a Soviet/Russian gymnast.
He held the record for men for the most Olympic medals at 15 (7 gold medals, 5 silver medals, 3 bronze medals) until Michael Phelps surpassed him at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. …
In his final years, Andrianov developed the degenerative neurological disorder multiple system atrophy and in his final months was unable to move his arms or legs or talk. Andrianov died March 21, 2011 at the age of 58. He died in his hometown of Vladimir. …
Not only one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, but also one of the greatest Olympians.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 