(ATR) Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov will step down from that post in a shakeup disclosed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin says he expects Zhukov to leave the ROC in December to spend more time on his newly elected position as a first deputy speaker in the national parliament. Zhukov has been ROC president since 2010,
"He wants to concentrate on his work in the Duma (it is a big job, and he has a high position). The Olympic cycle has ended, and the new one is just beginning," said Putin.
"However, this issue should be tackled in contact with the International Olympic Committee, so that we do not lose Russia’s standing in the IOC," said Putin. Zhukov, 60, is one of three Russian IOC members.
"It is imperative to consult [IOC president] Mr. Bach on these issues before we do anything or decide on anything," said the Russian leader, an indication perhaps that efforts will be made to allow Zhukov to retain his IOC position, which he has held since 2013.
Zhukov was summoned to Russia for the announcement from Beijing where he had just convened the first meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In the interim, the CoComm will be led by IOC vice president Juan Antonio Samaranch for the final two days of the visit.
Who will lead the Russian Olympic Committee is an open question. Olympic swimmer Alexander Popov, who just stepped down from the IOC after Rio, is considered a possibility. Putin gave no clues about his preferences for the post. The future of sports minister Vitaly Mutko isn't clear, He sat alongside Putin, Zhukov on the other side of the Russian president.
Putin announced the change as part of a reorganization of the government ministries for sport, youthand tourism.
"Sports, youth, and tourism are all very close. We believe they should be brought together under one roof and be supervised by one deputy prime minister. The Government will come up with specific proposals in the near future, including the name of such a supervisory authority," said Putin.
Putin says the new ministry will be under Russia’s Olympic and Paralympic committees and funded directly from the federal budget.
Anti-doping programs will also be handled under the new ministry. Currently RUSADA, the Russian anti-doping agency, is suspendedby the World Anti Doping Agency as a result of independent reports that point to state-sponsored corruption. Russian track and field athletes and all Russian Paralympians were excluded from the Rio Game as a result.
Putin did not say whether the anti-doping crisis in Russia prompted the changes. In his remarks, Putin claims Russia is a victim of politics but admits there are errors to correct.
"We certainly see considerable politicization of this sphere and sometimes, as I have already said, a biased attitude to our athletes. However, we must acknowledge that in a way we ourselves gave cause for this. We made quite a few mistakes and miscalculations in this most important and highly sensitive area.
"There are many problems here. Some are ours, others are common for world sport and should be resolved in close cooperation with our partners.
"Both Russia and other countries are interested in the existing international anti-doping system becoming transparent and open, and, most importantly, ensuring the absolute equality of all members of the large Olympic family and the immutability of the provisions of the Olympic Charter. No doubt, Russia will do all it can to reach these goals," said Putin.
Written by Ed Hula.
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