Career
In 1983, he set a European record in the 200 m backstroke. He set his second European record on 15 February 1984, recording 2:00.39 at the Soviet Winter Nationals. This time eclipsed the previous world record of 1:58.86 set by Rick Carey, United States of America on 27 June 1984 at the United States of America Olympic Swimming Trials.
Carey recorded 1:58.99 in the preliminaries in Los Angeles for an Olympic record.
Zabolotnov competed at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South of Korea, in both the 100 and 200 m backstroke, finishing fourth in each. His time in the 100 m backstroke was 55.37.
His time in the 200 m backstroke was 2:00.52. He competed in the preliminaries of the 4 × 100 m medley relay only, but earned a bronze medal when the Soviet team finished behind the United States and Canadian teams in the final.
