Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander...

The election is scheduled for May 20, but the deadline for applications was 6 p.m. Moscow time on Monday (14:00 GMT).

The previous president of Russia"s Olympic Committee, Leonid Tyagachev, resigned on March 23 after strong condemnation from Russia"s leaders of its poor showing at this year"s Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Russia ended a disappointing 11th place in the overall medals table, winning three golds, five silvers and seven bronzes. The southern Russian town of Sochi will host the next Winter Games in 2014.

Tyagachev earlier suggested that a deputy prime minister might become the new committee president and named Zhukov, 53, as a likely candidate.

The former president"s adviser Rostislav Murzagulov said at the end of March that potential applicants were frightened away by the pressure to deliver success in Sochi.

"The task is set clearly: first place in overall medals table in Sochi is a successful result, second - unsuccessful, third - an

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