Sergei Tchepikov, a prominent Russian biathlete who secured two Olympic gold medals, has passed away at the age of 59. The Russian Biathlon Union confirmed the news on Thursday, though an official cause of death remains unannounced; some reports suggest he had been battling cancer. Throughout a career lasting twenty years, Tchepikov achieved Olympic victories in 1988 and 1994, alongside two World Championship titles. Following his retirement from professional sports, he transitioned into politics, representing the United Russia party. He served in the Sverdlovsk regional assembly before becoming a member of the State Duma in 2016. In 2022, Tchepikov faced international sanctions from the European Union and the United States due to his support for the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Source : The Moscow Times
