Saweljew, who started for CSKA Moscow , won third place with the relay at the Svenska Skidspelen in 1973 in Falun . A year earlier he won the bronze medal over 15 km and the gold medal with the relay at the Winter Universiade in Lake Placid . At the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck , he was over 30 km Olympic champion and won the bronze medal with the Soviet relay behind Finland and Norway . Over 50 km he took 21st place there. In early March 1976, he triumphed at the Lahti Ski Games in the 50 km run. In the following year he repeated this success and also won there and at the Svenska Skidspelen with the relay. At the Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti in 1978 , he again won the gold medal over 30 km. He also came in 23rd place over 50 km and fourth place with the relay. In the same year he received the Soviet badge of honor . At the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, he was fifth over 50 km. In March 1980 he achieved third place over 15 km at the Lahti Ski Games. At Soviet championships he won four times with the relay (1977-1979, 1981), three times over 50 km (1973, 1976, 1977) and once over 15 km (1977) and over 30 km (1976).
Soviet Union
