Legend of Armenian weightlifting (1956–2018), Olympic Champion at Moscow 1980 in the 82.5 kg class. Born in Leninakan (today Gyumri).
At Moscow 1980 Vardanyan became the first weightlifter in the world to break the 400 kg total barrier in the 82.5 kg class, and the first weightlifter from Armenia ever to win Olympic gold.
He won seven gold and one silver medal at World Championships between 1977 and 1985, setting 41 world records over his career. He was inducted into the IWF Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2009 he became advisor to the President of Armenia, in 2013 — Minister of Sport, and later served as Armenia's Ambassador to Georgia.