Vyacheslav Skomorokhov
During the mid-sixties and early part of the seventies, one of the world’s best hurdlers (both deaf and hearing) was a deaf Russian, and also was a Jew. The name Vyacheslav Skomorokhov may strike a familiar tune with followers of deaf track and field. They will instantly recall the fluidity and smoothness of his hurdling form, in other words a natural born hurdler.
It was not publicly known that he was Jewish, mainly because he lived under a Communist regime that was hostile towards Jews. He never let it on of his Jewish faith but those close to him all said he was a closet Jew, unwilling to acknowledge his faith or to make an admission of this fact.
Sadly Skomorokhov was reportedly assassinated several years ago in a bar – details are sketchy but it was understood that the Russian Mafia did him in. The deaf Russians who knew him were reluctant to talk at length about his demise. Because he was a quiet person who did not mingle too well with the Americans at the World Games for the Deaf he was perceived as Knot being too bright” a fellow. Even though he was Jewish he wasn’t into scholarly pursuits so appropriate of the Judaism faith and spent much of his time hanging around with sleazy individuals. In due time, his choice of acquaintances cost him his life.
During his hurdling prime no one could defeat him in the World Games for the Deaf. He won the golds in 100 meter and 400 meter hurdles in the 1965, 1969, and 1973 Games. After 1973, Skomorokhov was practically over the hill, but still had enough spring in his legs to win a silver in 100 meter hurdles at the 1977 Games. In the 400 meter hurdles he made it to the semi finals. After seeing an upstart American newcomer David Rubeny shine throughout the preliminaries. Skomorokhov was a no-show, citing an unspecified ailment. Observers closer to the scene speculated that Skomorokhov was still healthy, but too exhausted and too weary to attempt a longer and grueling race around the track, especially after losing out on a gold in a shorter 100 meter hurdles race.
It was the 1965 race in 400 meter hurdles at the World Games for the Deaf, taking place in the metropolitan Washington, DC area that fans watching it would never forget. Skomorokhov was matched up against Jeff Lambrecht, the best American hurdling threat. Lambrecht, a great football star at Louisiana School for the Deaf, was so talented that he made All-South all high school’s football team, a rare feat for a deaf athlete. Lambrecht was neck to neck with Skomorokhov with the outcome of the race very much in doubt. All of a sudden Lambrecht’s trailing leg hit the hurdle, forcing him to lose balance, tumbling onto the ground. Skomorokhov, as smooth a hurdler as one could be, simply glided away for the gold. Observers were spell bound, not because of Lambrecht’s misfortune but because of the smooth hurdling form that Skomorokhov possessed that other hurdlers lacked.
Skomorokhov also completed in the Olympics, finishing fifth in 400-hurdles in the 1g68 Olympics in Mexico City, with a clocking of 49.1. He also took part in many international events, including the annual USA Russia track meets, which is no longer being held.
Photo courtesy by Rafael Pinchas
