KGB chief Vladimir Matskevich has been installed as head of the Belarus Biathlon Federation in an effort to improve the country's standing in the sport. The 51year-old KGB general has vowed to improve financing and training facilities for the winter discipline.

Matskevich, who took over the Belarus Secret Service Ministry in 1995, became the fourth top government official to lead one of the country's sports federations. The Belarus soccer, ice hockey and gymnastic federations are headed by the country's aviation, internal security and finance ministers respectively. President Alexander Lukashenko also doubles as the Belarus Olympic Committee boss. Could this mean that all information regarding Belarussian sport is given with a cyanide capsule and only on a need-to-know basis?