Three-time Olympic freestyle champion and Russian wrestling legend Buvaysar Saytiev has died at the age of 49, TASS news agency reports.
Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told TASS that Saytiev's death was "premature and tragic", but did not reveal any further details. The Russian agency added only that the former wrestler died in the capital, Moscow.
Degtyarev described Saytiev as one of the most successful freestyle wrestlers of all time and congratulated him for his "priceless" contribution to sports in Russia. He won gold medals in the 74 kg freestyle category in 1996, 2004 and 2008, and is also a six-time world and European champion.
Saitiev, who retired from active sports in 2009, has received numerous state awards and in recent years was a member of parliament.