On November 25, 2011, one of the most famous domestic athletes, Vasily Ivanovich Alexeev, passed away. Among his outstanding achievements are two gold medals from the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, 16 gold medals from world and European championships, seven victories at Soviet championships, the title of honored master of sports, and 79 world records, the most significant of which remains unbroken to this day.

Vasily Ivanovich was buried in the central cemetery of his hometown, Shakhty. Almost all the residents of the city came to bid farewell to him, and there were many people along the route of the procession. A large marble monument with a bronze image of the great champion and a large Orthodox cross was erected at his grave.