Background
He was born in the village of Novoye Toyderyakovo, Yalchiksky District, Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
He was born in the village of Novoye Toyderyakovo, Yalchiksky District, Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
After his career was finished, Ignatyev worked at sports school in Cheboksary as a director, and was also a lecturer at Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University from 1970-1976.
He was European champion over 400 metres in 1954, when he also won a silver medal over 200 metres. He competed for the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics in the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia in the 400 metres where he won the bronze medal jointly with Finland"s Voitto Hellstén.