His death on Friday (May 5) was announced by his family.

They told Russia’s official state news agency TASS that had been suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

"There were many complications," a family spokesperson told TASS.

"Unfortunately, Vladimir passed away on May 5."

Zaitsev had last competed in an international competition for Russia was in January 2016 at the Europe Cup in St. Moritz, where he had competed in the four-man bob and finished sixth.

His most outstanding result had come in 2014 when, at the Junior World Championships in Winterberg, he had been part of a four-man bob team along with Maxim Andrianov, Pavel Utkin and Yuriy Chubakov that finished second to Germany.

Vladimir Kozlov, winner of an Olympic gold medal in the two-man bob at Calgary 1988 and who coached Zaitsev,

"He was diagnosed with blood leukaemia in February, and today he died," Kozlov told TASS.

"I know that they collected money for his treatment, but they didn’t have time to help.

"He trained with me at a junior age and failed to fully realise himself, I think.

"Although he was completely devoted to the sport, he took training very seriously.

"Vladimir came to bobsleigh from athletics."

The Bobsleigh Federation of Russia also paid tribute to Zaitsev.

"He left very early after a serious illness, leaving warm memories and a bright career," they said on its website.

"Vladimir was a good athlete and a wonderful person.

"Blessed memory to him."

The funeral is due to take place in Kovrov tomorrow.