Doping accused takes over Russian bobsleigh federation

Weeks after his name emerged in damaging doping allegations two-time Olympic champion Alexander Zubkov has been elected president of Russia's troubled bobsleigh federation, local media reported on Thursday.

The former head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory alleged last month that Zubkov, 41, was among those involved in an elaborate doping cover-up scheme during the Sochi Games in 2014.

Zubkov has rejected the claims made by Grigory Rodchenkov, saying they were "not backed up by any facts."

Sports minister Vitaly Mutko -- who is battling a slew of doping allegations against Russian competitors that has seen its athletics federation suspended ahead of the Rio Games -- welcomed Zubkov's election.

"Professionals from the sports world should be in charge of sports in the country," Sovietsky Sport quoted Mutko as saying.

"Meanwhile, we will help them, support them. This is a special federation -- (bobsleigh) is a technical kind of sport. Zubkov knows everything there, God bless him."

The delegates demoted the federation's former chief, Georgy Bedzhamov, who requested political asylum in Europe earlier this year after fleeing Russia.

Bedzhamov, the co-owner of Vneshprombank, left Russia after the central bank put the lender -- which was among Russia's top 40 banks -- into temporary administration.

Bedzhamov's sister Larisa Markus, president of Vneshprombank, has been accused of fraud and was detained shortly after.

Media reported that Bedzhamov was detained in Monaco on Russia's request in April. Authorities in Monaco are currently considering whether to extradite him to Russia.

Source : AFP