2 Russian officials banned by Medvedev

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has banned two top sports officials from preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The decision stems from the nation's poor performance at the Vancouver Games.

Medvedev said Thursday that figure skating president Valentin Piseyev and cross-country skiing head Vladimir Loginov have been removed from the government council on Olympic preparations. Both officials said this week they will resign.

Russia won only three golds and 15 medals overall in Vancouver. Within days, Medvedev demanded ousters. Russian Olympic Committee president Leonid Tyagachev and deputy sports minister Gennady Alyoshin have since left their posts.