Vladimir Drachev became the new President of the RBU

Four-time world champion in biathlon Vladimir Drachev won the elections and became the President of the Russian Biathlon Union. The elections took place last Friday at the Pearl of Siberia winter sports center in the Tyumen region.

The first Vice-President of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Viktor Maigurov and member of the RBU Board Dmitry Aleksashin were also contending for the presidency. It is interesting that at the end of two rounds, none of the candidates scored the required number of votes. Everything was decided in the third round, where Drachev received 40 votes against 16 for Maigurov.

In an interview with journalists, Vladimir Drachev said that his main competitor in the elections will be included in the new RBU Board. ‘Viktor Maigurov will be responsible for international relations.   The IBU Executive Committee will take place in 10 days. The fate of our team will depend on its decisions, whether we will perform or not. Victor and I will go there together.’

As for the coaching staff of the Russian men’s and women’s national teams, according to the President of the RBU, a shortlist of 10-12 specialists has been formed, and there are no foreigners among them. Next week all candidates will become clear.

52-year-old Vladimir Drachev is a well-known biathlete and two-time Olympic relay medalist. He has got two silvers: Lillehammer-94, Nagano-98. He is a 4-time world champion. From 2002 to 2006 he played for Belarus. He has been a State Duma Deputy since October 5, 2016, and a member of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection.