Victor Ageev, a three-time Olympic water polo medallist representing the Soviet Union, has died at the age of 86 ©Getty Images

A member of the Soviet Union water polo team that won medals in three consecutive Olympics, Victor Ageev, has died at the age of 86, it has been reported.

Ageev was part of the teams that won bronze medals at Melbourne 1956 and Tokyo 1964 and silver at Rome 1960.

His death today was reported by the Russian Water Polo Federation.

"We express our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Viktor Ivanovich Ageev, the bright memory of him will forever remain in our hearts," the national governing body said in a statement.

Victor Ageev, third left in the front row, was a member of the Soviet Union water polo team that won the Olympic silver medal at Rome 1960 ©Russian Water Polo Federation
Victor Ageev, third left in the front row, was a member of the Soviet Union water polo team that won the Olympic silver medal at Rome 1960 ©Russian Water Polo Federation

Ageev had made his Olympic debut as a 20-year-old in Melbourne in a tournament notorious for the Soviet Union’s "Blood in the Water" match against Hungary.

The encounter took place against the background of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, which had been crushed by the Soviet Union sending tanks and troops into Budapest.

More than 2,500 Hungarians were killed.

The match in the Australian city saw Hungary defeat the Soviet Union 4-0.

The name was coined after Hungarian player Ervin Zádor emerged during the last two minutes with blood pouring from above his eye after being punched by Ageev’s Soviet team-mate Valentin Prokopov.

The victory helped Hungary win the Olympic gold medal for the fourth time.

The day after their defeat to Hungary, the Soviet Union returned to the pool to defeat the Unified Team of Germany 6-4 and clinch the bronze medal ahead of Italy.

Victor Ageev, second right in front row, won a third Olympic medal at Tokyo 1964 when the Soviet Union took the bronze ©Russian Water Polo Federation
Victor Ageev, second right in front row, won a third Olympic medal at Tokyo 1964 when the Soviet Union took the bronze ©Russian Water Polo Federation

Four years later, in Rome, the Soviets finished second to Italy in the round robin tournament as the Hungarians, weakened by the defection of several top players, took the bronze medal.

At Tokyo 1964, Ageev played in all six of the Soviet Union’s matches and scored two goals.

The tournament was again held in a round robin format and the Soviets pipped Italy to the bronze medal by virtue of a 2-0 victory as Hungary regained their title with Yugoslavia taking the silver.

Ageev was also part of the Soviet Union team that won silver medals at the 1962 European Championships in Leipzig, an event won by Hungary.