Russia's former Olympic fencing champion Sergei Sharikov died in a car crash at the weekend, press reports said Monday.

The reports said Sharikov's vehicle hit a car travelling the other way on a road in the Kaluga region, about 200 kilometres from Moscow.

Sharikov was rushed to a nearby hospital, but the medics failed to save his life and the 40-year-old died because of multiple injuries.

Police have launched an investigation.

Sharikov won gold in the team sabre tournaments at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as three world and five European titles.

He had worked as the head coach of the Russian national team reserve line-up since 2009.
Source: AFP