Just two weeks before the 1962 European Championships in Belgrade, on 11 August 1962 in Moscow, Bolotnikov lowered his own 10,000 m world record by 0.6 seconds to 28:18.2, thus becoming the main favourite at long distances at the Championships.
Xusto dúas semanas antes dos Europeos de Atletismo de 1962 en Belgrado, o 11 de agosto de 1962 en Moscova, Bolotnikov bateu o seu propio récord dos 10 000 m en 0,6 segundos, 28:18.2, converténdose no favorito para as probas de longa distancia destes campionatos.