Olympics-Kremlin favours Putin ally to be Russian Olympic chief

MOSCOW, April 6 (Reuters) - Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Leonid Tyagachyov as Russia's Olympic chief following a meeting in the Kremlin, officials said on Tuesday.

Tyagachyov resigned as Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) president last month, two days after President Dmitry Medvedev ordered top sports officials to quit or be fired following the country's worst ever showing at February's Vancouver Olympics.

Honorary ROC president Vitaly Smirnov said Zhukov's name had come up during Monday's meeting of top Kremlin officials behind closed doors.

"I wasn't there (at the meeting) but I have spoken to those who were present," Smirnov, a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, was quoted as saying by Russian media.

Zhukov, a close ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who has been in charge of preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, said he would accept the nomination.

"It's a big honour for me so of course, I would agree," the 53-year-old former economist told reporters.

Zhukov was endorsed by most Russian sports officials.

"It was a very wise decision to nominate Zhukov," said Tyagachyov. "He should bring more authority and improve our image on the international arena."

The ROC will choose its new chief at its general assembly meeting next month. (Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by Sonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)