Monica,
Thanks for hosting the Boys in the Boat viewing last week and for bringing up the great memories of Igor and his many inspirational sayings.

I need to share this one:

One afternoon in Georgia, Igor and I along with a couple other guys went to an abandoned women’s gym to buy some deeply discounted (and very pink) weight equipment. While I was negotiating prices, Igor was off testing out a cage. The overhead bar was missing and when he pulled down on the cable, one of the racks with square open-ended steel tubing came down and caught him right on the head. He didn’t yell, but rather pushed the rack back up, held his head, and sat down while motioning to me. I walked over and when he lifted his hand, blood gushed out. It was a deep nasty wound. He then asked me to take a look which I did. Igor’s question: “Can you see brain?” I told him no, but that we needed to get to the hospital right away. He then said calmly “No can see brain, is okay.” Needless to say, his pain tolerance was incredible. On the way to the hospital, he told me another story where he was injured while diving onto submerged jagged metal piling, that he had to pull himself off of because no one else was around. I frequently think of how tough Igor was mentally and physically, always coaching from his launch in any weather with little or no face or hand protection and always find inspiration in his resolve. After hearing that he was able to get out of bed and walk on the day of his death is “same-time-ulaneously” incredible and typical Igor!

May his spirit continue to inspire us to push ourselves beyond our perceived limits!

-BEL

Monica, thank you very much for setting up this website in memeory of our loved one, Igor Grinko, who I worked for as an interpretor in China Rowing from 2005 to 2011. We started out in a club, named Hebei province, where Igor coached their M1x and M2x, who were not the one to watch most, to a gold and a silver in the National Games held every 4 years. I spent 6 years with Igor, from 22 to 28. Igor shaped my way of thinking, developed me into a better person, who is always fighting for better, never gives in and always shows respect for, especially ordinary people. Igor produced enormous and incredible success for China rowing with his extensive experiece, knowlege and passion. Too much to name them. I have more later on, but now I've got to go for training, with what I have learned from Igor, which still benefit so much my work as an interpreter. Back soon. Igor, I always love you, as much as your family do.