Two-Time Olympic Biathlon Champion and State Duma Lawmaker Sergei Tchepikov Dies at 59

Sep. 17, 2026 Sergei Tchepikov. Video grab Two-time Olympic biathlon champion and State Duma lawmaker Sergei Tchepikov has died at age 59, the Russian Biathlon Union said Thursday. The cause of Tchepikov’s death was not disclosed, but unverified reporting by a Telegram channel with links to Russian law enforcement claimed he died of cancer at the hospital. During his international career spanning two decades and six Winter Olympic Games, Tchepikov won a gold medal in the biathlon relay in 1988 and another in the sprint in 1994. Tchepikov was also a two-time World Champion, taking gold in the team event in 1989 and the mixed relay in 2006, with a less successful career in cross-country skiing in between. In 2006, he joined the ruling United Russia party, which is backed by President Vladimir Putin, and was elected to the Sverdlovsk region’s legislative assembly in 2011. He has served in the Duma since 2016. The United States, the EU and other Western countries sanctioned Tchepikov in 2022 for voting in support of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read more about: Sports , Obituary Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Figure Skater Valieva Has Neutral Status Revoked, Source Says Valieva, 20, was 15 when she became the center of a global controversy at the 2022 Olympics, after failing a drug test two months prior. 2 Min read International Equestrian Federation Lifts Restrictions on Russian Riders Russia's equestrian federation said that the FEI Council had approved the move after what it described as extensive negotiations between the national body... 1 Min read Russian Fencer Wins World Championship Gold in First Competition Under National Flag Since 2022 Pavel Graudyn defeated South Korea's Do Gyeong-dong 15-7 in the men's individual sabre final on Tuesday. 1 Min read Russia Defeats U.S. in Moscow Ice Hockey Match Aimed at Normalizing Ties Putin first proposed holding hockey matches between Russian and American players during a phone call with Trump in March 2025. 2 Min read