Deputy PM sole candidate to head Russian Olympic Committee

© RIA Novosti . Ekaterina Tchesnokova / Go to the mediabankRussian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov - Sputnik International
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Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov is the only candidate for the post of the president of the Russian Olympic Committee as no other candidacies were registered before the deadline

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov is the only candidate for the post of the president of the Russian Olympic Committee as no other candidacies were registered before the deadline.

The election is scheduled for May 20, but the deadline for applications was 6 p.m. Moscow time on Monday (14:00 GMT).

The previous president of Russia's Olympic Committee, Leonid Tyagachev, resigned on March 23 after strong condemnation from Russia's leaders of its poor showing at this year's Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Russia ended a disappointing 11th place in the overall medals table, winning three golds, five silvers and seven bronzes. The southern Russian town of Sochi will host the next Winter Games in 2014.

Tyagachev earlier suggested that a deputy prime minister might become the new committee president and named Zhukov, 53, as a likely candidate.

The former president's adviser Rostislav Murzagulov said at the end of March that potential applicants were frightened away by the pressure to deliver success in Sochi.

"The task is set clearly: first place in overall medals table in Sochi is a successful result, second - unsuccessful, third - an epic failure," he said. "This is the reason why there still haven't been any applicants."

Zhukov officially submitted his application two weeks ago. He played an important role in Sochi's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games and now chairs the supervisory board.

He is expected to combine the role with his responsibilities as deputy prime minister.

The committee's first vice president, Igor Kazikov, will continue to serve as acting president until the committee convenes on May 20.

MOSCOW, April 19 (RIA Novosti)

 

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