Legendary artistic gymnast Albert Azaryan dead at 94

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Olympic gold winner, artistic gymnast Albert Azaryan has died at the age of 94, the head of the Armenian Gymnastics Federation Gagik Vanoyan announced Tuesday.

Azaryan won a gold medal in the rings at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, the 1954 and 1958 World Championships and the 1955 European Championships, adding several more medals in team events. His perhaps biggest legacy is the Azaryan cross, in which the gymnast hangs straight with his arms stretched, like a crucifix. Azaryan was the first gymnast to perform this move, which was named for him.