What does it take to become an Olympic champion, and what happens after the medals have been won? Alexander Savin offers a personal perspective on these questions in The Flying Elephant: Memoirs of an Olympic Champion, an autobiography exploring his remarkable career in Soviet volleyball.
Savin was a central figure in one of international volleyball’s most successful eras. He experienced the disappointment of Olympic silver in 1976 before helping the Soviet Union claim gold at the 1980 Moscow Games.
His memoir looks beyond sporting achievements to explore the people, experiences and relationships that shaped his journey. Available in an English-language Kindle edition, the book offers volleyball enthusiasts and sports history readers an opportunity to discover the world behind his remarkable career.
Who Is Alexander Savin?
Alexander Borisovich Savin, also known as Aleksandr Savin, was born on 1 July 1957 in Taganrog, Russia. He became one of the leading volleyball players of his generation, representing the Soviet Union during the 1970s and 1980s.
Standing approximately two metres tall, Savin was known for his powerful presence at the net and his exceptional blocking ability. He played for CSKA Moscow and established himself as an important member of the Soviet national team. His international achievements include Olympic gold and silver medals, two World Championship titles and six European Championship titles.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Savin was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2010. His career remains an important part of volleyball history.
What Is The Flying Elephant Memoir About?
The book is an autobiographical account of Savin’s life, sporting achievements and personal experiences. Rather than concentrating exclusively on tournament results, the memoir explores the environment in which he developed as an athlete and the individuals who influenced his career.
According to Russian volleyball club Belogorie’s announcement of the book’s presentation in February 2024, Savin recounts his upbringing, his introduction to volleyball, significant moments in his life and the people who inspired him.
Life Behind Olympic Success
Olympic victories are often remembered through photographs, medals and celebrations. However, those moments represent only a small part of an athlete’s career. Savin’s story provides historical context for understanding the years of preparation behind international success. His experiences also offer readers an opportunity to consider the importance of coaching, team relationships and personal development in competitive sport.
Remembering Teammates and Coaches
An important element of the memoir is its attention to the people who surrounded Savin throughout his career. Volleyball depends on cooperation between players with different responsibilities. Even an outstanding individual performer needs effective communication, reliable teammates and strong tactical organisation. By preserving memories of fellow athletes and mentors, the book contributes to a wider understanding of the Soviet volleyball generation rather than presenting success as one man’s achievement.
Alexander Savin’s Journey to Olympic Glory
Savin’s Olympic career included both disappointment and triumph. His experiences provide the historical background for understanding the achievements discussed in his autobiography.
Montreal 1976: A Silver Medal
Savin made his Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Games, where the Soviet Union entered the men’s volleyball tournament as a leading contender. The Soviet team performed strongly during the early stages, defeating several international opponents and reaching the final against Poland.
However, Poland claimed victory in a closely contested five-set match, leaving Savin and his teammates with silver medals. Although the Soviet Union fell short of gold, the tournament established Savin as an Olympic medallist early in his international career.
Moscow 1980: The Olympic Dream Realised
Four years later, Savin returned to the Olympics when Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games. By then, the Soviet team had strengthened its international reputation through success at major volleyball competitions. Playing on home soil brought significant expectations. The team responded with a series of impressive performances and eventually faced Bulgaria in the gold-medal match.
- The Soviet Union won the final 3–1, securing Olympic gold.
- According to Olympedia’s official sporting record, Savin finished his Olympic career with one gold and one silver medal.
- This progression from Montreal to Moscow provides an important backdrop to his personal story.
Why Is the Book Called The Flying Elephant?
The unusual title is one of the most memorable features of Savin’s autobiography.
At first glance, the combination of a flying elephant and an Olympic champion might seem surprising. However, the name has a connection to Savin’s reputation as a volleyball player.
When Russian volleyball club Belogorie announced a presentation of the book in February 2024, it explained that people who remembered Savin’s playing career would understand the title. Other readers, the announcement suggested, would discover its meaning through the memoir.
The metaphor also invites readers to think about the combination of physical strength and athletic movement required in volleyball.
However, the precise explanation should come from Savin’s own account rather than assumptions about the nickname.
The English Kindle Edition and Its Publication
The memoir was originally published in Russian under the title Летающий слон, meaning The Flying Elephant.
The Russian edition was publicly presented in December 2023, with another presentation organised by volleyball club Belogorie in February 2024. An English translation subsequently made Savin’s experiences accessible to a much wider international audience.
A Personal Translation Project
The English edition has an interesting family connection. Andrei Savine, Alexander Savin’s half-brother, described translating the memoir as a personal project that developed while the two were reconnecting. Working with Alfredo Cabero and Ioulia Soudakova, he spent more than a year bringing the book into English.
In his public account of the translation project, Andrei explained that learning about the athletes, coaches and friends mentioned in the memoir gave the work a deeper purpose. The translation became a way to preserve memories of an important sporting generation.
Where Can Readers Find the Book?
The English edition is available through Amazon Kindle. Published edition information identifies the digital book as having a listed length of 514 pages, with historical photographs and material connected to Savin’s volleyball career. Readers can look for the edition using its Amazon identifier, B0FXVDWW16. Before purchasing, it is sensible to check the current listing for pricing, regional availability and compatibility with your preferred reading device.
What Makes This Olympic Memoir Worth Exploring?
Several features make Savin’s autobiography particularly relevant to readers interested in sporting history. First, it offers a personal perspective on Soviet volleyball during a period of considerable international success. Official sporting records establish the medals and results, but personal recollections can help readers understand the individuals and circumstances behind those achievements.
Second, the memoir preserves memories of teammates, coaches and others who contributed to the development of the sport. The English translation project also includes rare archival photographs, according to Andrei Savine. These images add a visual dimension to the historical material. Finally, the book connects sporting success with the broader experiences of an athlete’s life. Its value is not limited to understanding how a championship was won, but extends to the people and relationships that shaped the journey.
Who Should Read The Flying Elephant?
This autobiography is particularly suitable for volleyball players, coaches, Olympic history enthusiasts and readers interested in Soviet-era sport. Young athletes may find the historical journey from Olympic silver to gold especially relevant when considering long-term sporting development. Coaches can explore the importance of the relationships between talented players, experienced mentors and successful teams.
Sports historians may appreciate the personal recollections and archival material documenting an influential era of international volleyball. Readers unfamiliar with Savin’s career should consider reviewing his Olympic record before beginning the book. Knowing the significance of Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980 makes the historical setting easier to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote The Flying Elephant memoir?
Alexander Savin, a former Soviet volleyball player and 1980 Olympic gold medallist, wrote the autobiography. The English edition was developed with help from translators and editors, including his half-brother Andrei Savine.
Is The Flying Elephant based on a true story?
Yes. It is an autobiographical work about Savin’s life and sporting career. His major achievements are independently documented by Olympedia and the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Is the memoir available in English?
Yes. An English-language Kindle edition is available through Amazon. It was developed through a translation project involving Savin’s family and collaborators.
What can readers learn from Alexander Savin’s story?
The memoir provides an opportunity to understand the historical setting of elite Soviet volleyball, Savin’s experiences as an international athlete and the importance of the people who influenced his career.
Final Thoughts
The Flying Elephant: Memoirs of an Olympic Champion offers a personal connection to an important period in volleyball history. Alexander Savin’s journey from Olympic silver in Montreal to gold in Moscow represents a remarkable sporting achievement. Yet his autobiography extends beyond medals, preserving memories of the coaches, teammates and experiences that shaped his life.
