Russian Olympic bobsled champ Zubkov retires

 

Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning Russian bobsledder Alexander Zubkov has announced his retirement at the age of 40.

Zubkov piloted the Russian two-man and four-man sleds to victory at February's Winter Olympics in Sochi. He also carried the Russian flag at the opening ceremony.

Zubkov won silver in the four-man bob at the 2006 Turin Olympics and bronze in the two-man event in Vancouver in 2010.

Local media reported he chose to retire after a long-term injury ruled him out of competing at the start of this season.

In May, Zubkov was attacked by unknown assailants who smashed up the Mercedes he received for winning his gold medals in Sochi.