MOSCOW (AP) — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that sport in his country needs a major shakeup after the dismal showing by its Olympic teams at the Vancouver Games.
Putin told Friday’s government meeting that sports federations must have broader power and specific responsibilities, more sports facilities need to be built, and the wages of coaches must be increased to prevent a similar humiliation when Russia hosts the 2014 Games in Sochi.
Putin demanded that sports officials account for the performance in Canada, where Russia won just 15 medals, three of them gold.
The prime minister acknowledged that the wear-and-tear of Soviet-era sports facilities and emigration of some of the nation’s top athletes and coaches had played a role in the results.
