Russian Olympic shooting coach resigns

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LONDON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The coach of Russia's shooting team said Sunday he plans to resign after his team performed poorly at the Olympics.

Shooting coach Igor Zolotarev is set to resign after his team has won only one medal in 12 shooting events so far, with one event remaining, as compared to four medals in Beijing in 2008 and 10 in Athens in 2004, RIA Novosti reported.

"I'm not trying to look for justifications, and I take full responsibility and intend to write a note," Zolotarev said. "For me it's the biggest defeat of my life. I feel I've let down the team and can't be its leader."

Zolotarev's resignation came just hours after Russian fencing coach Vladislav Pavlovich announced that he has submitted a resignation letter after his team had a poor showing.

"I have submitted my resignation in writing," said Pavlovich. "I don't know if the federation will accept it or not. I did it yesterday, because we failed to fulfill our Olympic plan."

Earlier Sunday, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko singled out shooting and fencing as areas Russian athletes underperformed in.