Nikolai Alexandrovich Kolomenkin, known internationally as Nikolai Panin, was born on December 27, 1871 (January 8, 1872, according to the new style) in the village of Khrenovoe in the Voronezh province of the Russian Empire. He became the first Olympic champion in the history of Russia, winning gold in 1908 in the discipline of 'special figures' in figure skating. He was also a six-time champion of Russia in figure skating and a multiple champion in pistol and revolver shooting. In 1940, he was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR.

Nikolai's father, Alexander Nikolaevich Kolomenkin, managed the Voronezh Agricultural Machinery Plant. Nikolai began skating on homemade skates in childhood and later received real skates from his mother. After his parents divorced in 1882, he moved with his mother and sisters to St. Petersburg, where he continued to practice figure skating. Thanks to his stepfather, he received a recommendation letter from the chairman of the St. Petersburg Society of Lovers of Skating, which allowed him to train in the Yusupov Garden.

In 1893, Nikolai enrolled in St. Petersburg University in the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, graduating in 1898. He studied anatomy under Pyotr Frantsevich Lesgaft, who founded the 'Society for the Promotion of Physical Development of Children and Youth' in 1893. In addition to figure skating, Nikolai was passionate about cycling, athletics, rowing, swimming, skiing, football, and hockey.

In 1901, Nikolai Panin won the All-Russian Figure Skating Championship, receiving a gold medal and the title of the best figure skater in Russia. In 1903, he placed second at the World Championship, losing to the Swede Ulrich Salchow. In 1908, at international competitions in St. Petersburg, Panin triumphed, outpacing Salchow.

At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, Panin placed second in the compulsory figures but withdrew from the free program in protest against unfair judging. However, in the special figures competition, he achieved victory, earning a gold medal.

In 1912, Panin participated in the Olympic Games in Stockholm in pistol shooting, finishing eighth in the individual event and fourth in the team event. This was the first instance of a Russian athlete competing in two different sports at the Olympics.

After his sports career, Panin engaged in coaching and educational activities. He worked in financial bodies and sports organizations and also taught at the P. F. Lesgaft Institute of Physical Culture. During the Great Patriotic War, he trained fighters of partisan units. Panin authored several textbooks and received the title of associate professor and the degree of candidate of pedagogical sciences.

Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin passed away in 1956 in Leningrad and was buried at the Serafimovskoye Cemetery. His contributions to sports and education left a significant mark in history. Among his students were champions of Russia and the USSR, such as K. Ollo, K. Tsesar, P. Chernyshev, and others.