Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev attends the Olympic Assembly of Russia in Moscow on December 13, 2024. Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev was appointed new President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), at a time when Russia remains ostracized from world sport for its assault on Ukraine since 2022. "Mikhail Degtyarev was elected President of the Russian Olympic Committee by decision of the Olympic Assembly," the body said in a statement. He replaces Stanislav Pozdniakov, in office since 2018 and a hardliner against the IOC, with whom relations are frosty. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)