Head of FISU and Doctor of Education
The announcement of a new government was the main topic of the day. However, the names of Cabinet members under the leadership of Mikhail Mishustin became known only in the evening. Some retained their posts, while others were forced to resign. Among them was the Minister of Sports Pavel Kolobkov, who has held his chair since 2016.
VTB United League President Sergei Kushchenko, Moscow Sports Department Head Alexei Kondarantsev, and FATU President Oleg Matytsin were named as potential successors to the Olympic champion. As a result, it was Matytsin who received the ministerial portfolio.
“In accordance with paragraph“ e ”of Article 83 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, appoint Matytsin Oleg Vasilyevich as Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation. This decree comes into force from the day it is signed, ”the official website of the President of Russia says.
From 2001 to 2006, 55-year-old Matytsin was the rector of the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports, Youth and Tourism (RGUFKSMiT), and from 2006 to 2015 he served as president of this educational institution. He also heads the FISU and is the honorary president of the Russian Student Sports Union.
In his youth, Matytsin was seriously engaged in table tennis and received the title of master of sports. He was a prize winner of the USSR Championship and the Spartakiad of the Peoples of the USSR and won the Cup of the country in 1982. After finishing his career, he coached the institute’s team, which under his leadership has achieved serious success. Matytsin himself was awarded the title of Honored Trainer of the Russian Federation in 1997. He is also a doctor of pedagogical sciences and a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Education, wrote several dozens of scientific papers.
“He has great authority abroad”
In the world of Russian sports, Matytsin’s appointment was greeted with optimism. In particular, the president of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpishchev said that his colleague is highly respected abroad.
“I have known Oleg Vasilyevich for a very long time, we are in a good relationship. He has great authority overseas. Everyone knows him, he knows everyone, he has always been in international orbit. In such a difficult time, he was able to win the election of the head of FISU, leads this organization. He is a competent, seasoned professional, I like Matytsin as a specialist, ”Tarpishchev quotes“ R-Sport ”.
The head of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Mikhail Degtyarev noted that the new Minister of Sports has a “crystal clear reputation”.
“We are working with Matytsin on the Presidential Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports. He knows very well the material base of sports, the relevant legislation of Russia and international law. Today, Russians lead only three international organizations: the International Fencing Federation - Alisher Usmanov, the International Chess Federation - Arkady Dvorkovich, the International University Sports Federation - Oleg Matytsin. He is well known in the industry, he has a crystal clear reputation. Very worthy candidacy. I am sure that he will actively contribute to the development of mass sports, children and youth sports and sports of the highest achievements, ”the deputy emphasized.
Finally, the head of RUSADA, Yuri Ganus, said that he supported the new Minister of Sports.
“I have a positive attitude towards Matytsin. We met with him more than once, exchanged opinions. He has a modern view of problems. I look forward with optimism. He can count on my understanding and support, ”the functionary emphasized.
In turn, the president of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RCC) Vladimir Lukin recalled that the new minister has nothing to do with doping scandals, as well as the president of the KHL appointed by the deputy prime minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.
"It is very good. They confirmed their professional qualities with the results of their work - for example, in preparation for the Olympics in Sochi, in the leadership of the KHL and a number of other matters. I see the logic in these assignments. At the very least, this will not adversely affect the development of events in the doping dispute, but will probably help us, ”summed up Lukin.
At his post, Matytsin replaced the Olympic fencing champion Pavel Kolobkov, who headed the Ministry of Sports in October 2016, and before that he was deputy Vitaly Mutko and oversaw the development of summer Olympic sports, as well as preparing the country's national team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London .
On January 15, after a message from President Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced the full resignation of the government. Moreover, until the formation of the new cabinet, all ministers remained at their posts. On January 16, the ex-head of the Federal Tax Service, Mikhail Mishustin, was approved by the State Duma as the new prime minister.
According to media reports, Kolobkov had practically no chance to keep the chair.
The previous head of the department took his post in the midst of a doping scandal and was forced to immediately take measures to save Russian sports.
It was under him that it was possible to reach agreements with WADA and the International Olympic Committee, and the domestic team, albeit in a limited composition and in a neutral status, went to the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. And in the fall of 2018, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency was reinstated on the condition that a database of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory be provided. She was transferred to WADA in early 2019.
However, the organization said that changes were made to the database. As a result, in December WADA made a tough decision in relation to Russia. For four years, domestic athletes will not be able to represent the country at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as at world championships. Also, Russia will not be able to host major international tournaments. RUSADA later challenged the verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.