The president of the suspended Russian Olympic Committee stated Tuesday he plans to step down after six years in cost.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov’s assertion comes simply over two months after a delegation of 15 Russians competed on the Paris Olympics as “Particular person Impartial Athletes” with out the nationwide flag or anthem because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The athletes didn’t signify the ROC, whose Worldwide Olympic Committee recognition was suspended final 12 months, and Pozdnyakov had been sharply important of the impartial guidelines.
Pozdnyakov stated in an announcement on the ROC web site a board assembly subsequent month was anticipated to set a date to elect his alternative, who would possible take workplace shortly earlier than the IOC too elects a brand new chief.
“The geopolitical challenges that our nation faces dictate the necessity for optimization and centralization of the administration of key areas of exercise, together with elite-level sports activities,” Pozdnyakov stated. He added “the function of the state these days is vital as by no means earlier than” in supporting athletes and sports activities occasions.
Pozdnyakov is a former Olympic fencing gold medallist who holds the rank of colonel within the Russian navy.
Russian athletes haven’t competed below the nation’s nationwide flag at any of the three Olympic Video games throughout Pozdnyakov’s six-year tenure as president of the ROC.
For the pandemic-delayed Summer season Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 and the Winter Olympics in Beijing the next 12 months, Russians competed below the ROC identify and flag as a part of the fallout from long-running disputes over doping circumstances.