MOSCOW, April 7 (UPI) -- Russia's deputy prime minister says he has given the green light to suggestions that he seek the job of head of the Russian Olympic Committee.
Alexander Zhukov has become the first candidate to state his willingness to accept the position if elected on May 20, The Moscow Times reported Wednesday.
Zhukov, who is already overseeing preparations for Russia's hosting of the 2014 Winter Games, said Tuesday it would be "honorable" to head the Russian Olympic Committee.
The previous chief of Russian Olympics, Leonid Tygachyov, quit following the country's poor showing at the Vancouver Games earlier this year.
Besides Zhukov, newspaper says other possible candidates for the job include former NHL hockey star Vyacheslav Fetisov and billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.
