Alexander Dyachenko

Alexander Igorevich Dyachenko (Александр Игоревич Дьяченко; born 24 January 1990) is a banned Russian sprint canoeist.

He won the Men's K-2 200 metres gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics with Yury Postrigay. At the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships he has won one gold medal (K-2 200 m: 2013), three silver medals (K-1 x 200 m: 2011, 2013, K-2 200 m: 2015) and two bronze medals (K-1 4 × 200 m: 2010, K-4 200 m: 2009).

Dyachenko began canoeing at the age of 6.

In June 2022, Dyachenko was one of three Russian canoeists who were given doping bans along with Nikolay Lipkin and Aleksandra Dupik. He was given a four year ban starting on 9 June 2022 and all of his results from 5 June 2014 to 31 December 2016 were disqualified. The ICF officially stripped the medals that Dyachenko won during this period, but he retained his Olympic gold medal.

In June 2023, Dyachenko successfully appealed his disqualification to a Russian court, which overturned his disqualification "on the Russian territory", meaning he can compete and coach in Russia.

Personal life
Dyachenko is married to honored Master of Sports of Russia, rhythmic gymnastics coach, Anna Shumilova. Their daughter, Inna, was born on July 21, 2014. He himself was awarded the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Russia in 2015. He was also awarded the Russian Order of Friendship after winning his Olympic gold medal.