AP
Olga Pyleva

Russia's Olympic biathlon champion and Siberian servicewoman Olga Pyleva could receive a promotion after winning the Olympic gold medal in the women's 10-kilometer pursuit in Salt Lake City.

Army commanders are seeking an immediate promotion for the 26-year-old warrant officer. A duty officer at Pyleva's army sports club Novosibirsk said Sunday that papers were being prepared to promote her to lieutenant.

The officer said the final decision on the promotion will be up to the defense minister, but that they expect the application to be approved. Pyleva has been in the Russian army for five years, and showed her rivals the importance of accurate marksmanship on Saturday. She missed just one target to battle back from eighth place to win the gold medal in 31 minutes and 7.7 seconds.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

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