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Follow the link to learn moreRussian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko welcomes the All-Russia Athletics Federation's (ARAF) decision to elect Dmitry Shlyakhtin its president.
"ARAF is a non-governmental organization that is through difficult times. It has made its choice, and we will respect it. They have elected Dmitry Shlyakhtin. I support him in any way I can, he has huge organizational experience, he worked for CSKA, now he serves as sports minister in the Samara region, and therefore he has enough experience and knowledge," Mutko told Interfax on Jan. 16.
"At this critical moment for Russian athletics, it's necessary to make huge efforts so as to return it to the world athletics family, and so we need a man possessing knowledge and experience. It seems to me that Dmitry [Shlyakhtin] is such a man indeed. I believe this is a worthy choice," he added.
