Draft:Dobri Dinev

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  • Comment: See the previous comment. Examples of the overattributing include "reported as being recognized in Guinness record reporting" and "regional press coverage about a sports complex named for Dinev states that in June 1985". Nighfidelity (talk) 19:22, 24 February 2026 (UTC)


Dobri Dinev
Personal information
Native name
Добри Динев
NationalityBulgarian
Born(1947-08-31)August 31, 1947
Varna, Bulgaria
Died2015
Montreal, Canada
Sport
SportSwimming
Event(s)Marathon swimming; pool ultra-distance (endurance) swimming

Dobri Dinev (Bulgarian: Добри Динев; born 31 August 1947 – 2015) was a Bulgarian marathon swimmer and swimming coach, noted for long-distance open water and pool swims as well as for rescuing dozens of people during the 1978 Beloslav pontoon-bridge disaster.[1][2]

Career

Marathon swimming and ultra-distance pool swims

Dinev's most notable swims are butterfly and mixed styles performed at Polski Trambesh. His performances were recognized by having the sports complex at this location named after him.[3][4]

His most prominent swims were recorded with the following results:[5][6]

  • 25 km butterfly (8:59:45)
  • 40 km butterfly (16:35:10)
  • 50 km butterfly (20:09:17)
  • 24 hour butterfly (54.125 km)
  • 24 hour medley (70.600 km)
  • 100 km medley (38:31:11)

Beloslav rescue (1978)

During the 1978 collapse of a pontoon bridge near Beloslav, Dinev entered the cold water and rescued 42 people, for which he received a high-level state decoration for civil bravery, 'For Civic Merit and Bravery' (translated from Bulgarian) by The State Council of the People's Republic of Bulgaria.[1][2][7]

Coaching and later life

In 1984 Dinev was appointed as a head swimming coach in the city of Polski Trambesh at the swimming complex, which has been named for him and worked alongside his wife, Margarita Dineva and two daughters Zaharinka Dineava and Iliana Dineva.[8] In 1992, Dinev moved with his family to Montreal, Canada. He founded a swimming organization there in 1997 named MADD (Maîtres Amis Dobri Dinev - English translation from French as “Masters Friends of Dobri Dinev”).[1][2]

Legacy

Sports complex named after him (Polski Trambesh)

In 2015, after his passing, the sports complex in Polski Trambesh, Bulgaria was named after Dobri Dinev by municipal decision. A portion of his is medals and awards are on display inside the complex.[9][10]

National swimming marathon in his name (Lyaskovets area)

The municipality of Lyaskovets holds an annual National Swimming Marathon named for Dobri Dinev, initiated in his memory.[7]

Galata–Varna marathon prize/cup

The prize for the fastest swimmer at the Galata–Varna marathon receives a cup named for Dobri, the “Dobri Dinev prize” among the event awards.[11][12]

Honorary Member of the Soviet Olympic Team

Dobri was made an honorary member of the Soviet Olympic team (Sbornaya), in the context of Soviet athletes being in Bulgaria during the 1984 Olympic boycott.[13]

Honors

Dobri Dinev was awarded as an honorary citizen of Polski Trambesh, Varna and Asenovgrad.[1] He received the title “Заслужил майстор на спорта по плуване” (Honored Master of Sports in Swimming) in connection with his record-setting swims in 1985.[8]

References

  1. "Загубихме Добри Динев". Yantra Dnes. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  2. "Кръщават варненска улица на плувеца Добри Динев". Kmeta.bg. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  3. "IN MEMORIAM: Загубихме великана Добри Динев". Sportal.bg. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  4. "Загубихме Добри Динев". Янтра ДНЕС (dnesbg.com) (in Bulgarian). 9 March 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  5. "Отиде си най-успешният варненски треньор за всички времена Милко Рачев". Swimming.bg (in Bulgarian). 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  6. "Отличията на Добри Динев ще стоят в комплекса, кръстен на негово име". Борба (borbabg.com) (in Bulgarian). 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  7. "Националният плувен маратон „Добри Динев" отново събра участници от цялата страна". Lyaskovets Municipality (official site). 29 July 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  8. "Отличията на Добри Динев ще стоят в комплекса, кръстен на негово име". Borbabg.com. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  9. "Отиде си най-успешният варненски треньор за всички времена Милко Рачев". Swimming.bg (in Bulgarian). 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  10. "Отличията на Добри Динев ще стоят в комплекса, кръстен на негово име". Борба (borbabg.com) (in Bulgarian). 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  11. "Семейството на легендарния плувец Добри Динев е във Варна за плувния маратон". Bulgarian National Radio (Radio Varna). 5 August 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  12. "Varna Residents win the 79th Galata-Varna Swimming Marathon". Swimming Marathon Galata–Varna (official site). 6 August 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  13. "IN MEMORIAM: Загубихме великана Добри Динев". Sportal.bg. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2026.