Sergei Ovchinnikov, the coach of the Russian women's volleyball team at the London Olympics, has died at a pre-season training camp in Croatia with his club Dynamo Moscow. He was 43.
The cause of death was unclear.
"Sad news has come from Croatia: the head coach of the national women's team and Dynamo Moscow Sergei Ovchinnikov has died in the 44th year of his life," a statement on Dynamo's website said without elaborating.
Ovchinnikov led the Russian team to the quarterfinals at the Games earlier this month after taking over as coach in December 2011.
Russia was beaten 3-2 in the Olympic quarterfinals by eventual champion Brazil after spurning six match points, a result seen as a failure back home for one of the medal favorites.
"So far nothing's clear, all I can do is confirm the fact that he has died," said Alexander Yaremenko, the general director of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation.
Ovchinnikov combined the national team job with the coaching position at club Dynamo Moscow.
"He was a fantastic coach," said former Russia coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin. "My condolences go out to his family and friends, and to those who worked with him."
With details on the incident sparse, speculation has grown that Ovchinnikov may have committed suicide.
