FIVB saddened by death of Russia women's coach

Lausanne, Switzerland, August 29, 2012 – The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) is saddened to learn of the passing of the Russia women's volleyball coach Serguey Ovchinnikov on Wednesday.

Ovchinnikov, 44, coached Russia to fifth place at the recent London Olympic Games and was also coach of the Dynamo Moscow club, with whom he was with at the time of his death whilst on a training camp in Croatia.

“This is a very sad day for volleyball,” FIVB President Jizhong Wei said. “On behalf of the volleyball family I pass on our sympathies and best wishes to the Ovchinnikov family and to the players and officials at the Russia Volleyball Federation and Dynamo Moscow club.”

Ovchinnikov began his coaching career in 1998 when he entered the coaching staff of Yaroslavl club "Neftyanik". On October 21, 2011 Ovchinnikov was appointed as acting coach of the Russia women's national team. In December he was confirmed as coach. 

Under his leadership, the Russian team qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games in London at the World Olympic Qualification tournament in Japan in May this year.

World champions Russia were eliminated in the quarterfinals at the Olympic Games in London after losing to eventual gold medallists Brazil in five sets in the longest match of the competition lasting two hours and 33 minutes.