Olympic ski champ dies in car accident

Russian cross-country ski champion Alexey Prokurorov has died after being hit by a car while crossing the road, according to police. He was 44.

The Olympic gold medal winner was killed at the scene on Friday in the city of Vladimir, 160 kilometres east of Moscow.

Prokurorov first won a place in the national Olympic squad during the Soviet era and took part in five Winter Olympics.

He won his gold medal in the 30 km race at the 1988 games in Calgary. He was also part of the Russian 4 x 10 km team, which took silver at the games.

In April 2006, he was appointed senior coach of Russia's women's s cross-country ski team.