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Russia names new Olympic boss post-scandal

Stanislav Pozdnyakov - a three-time gold medal-winning fencer - has been named as the new president of Russia's Olympic committee.

Fencing champion Stanislav Pozdnyakov has been elected president of the Russian Olympic Committee after its previous leader stepped down following years of doping scandals.

Pozdyakov, who won three gold medals in 1996 and 2000, previously managed the Olympic Athletes from Russia delegation at February's winter Games in PyeongChang after Russia's team was formally banned for doping.

The 44-year-old has said he wants to make Russia more influential in sports politics and leave the era of doping sanctions behind.

The ROC said he beat the only other candidate, former swimmer and International Olympic Committee member Alexander Popov, by 214 votes to 56.

Alexander Zhukov, a politician from the ruling United Russia party, had led the ROC since 2010 but said in May he wanted to focus on his career in parliament.


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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