Following President Medvedev’s call for the resignation of all officials responsible for Russia’s dismal performance at the Winter Games, Leonid Tyagachev has resigned.
Russia won only three gold medals in Canada – the worst result in the country’s history -and that's despite a record budget allocated for the preparation to the games.
The Russian national team took a disappointing 11th place in the overall medals table, winning three golds, five silvers and seven bronzes. Meanwhile, its once-formidable ice-hockey team was knocked out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage by Canada, the team that went on to take gold.
On Monday, President Medvedev delivered a stinging criticism of Russia ’s sporting authorities.
"Those who are responsible, or at least some of them who were responsible for this preparation, should make the courageous decision and tender their resignations. If they don't show such resolve, we will help them," the Russian president said.
Russia’s Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy Minister, Vitaly Mutko, was the first to react Medvedev’s criticism. On his return from Vancouver he said he is ready to resign if the move could change anything.
"I will resign quietly, if specifically my resignation is the issue, although I don't know whether sport will gain anything from that."
With the next Winter Olympics to be held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in 2014, the coming four years promises to be a time of drastic changes for Russian sports.
Source: Russia Today
