Graduated from the Order of Lenin State Central Institute of Physical Culture with a degree in Physical Culture and Sport, and the Russian Presidential Academy of State Service with a degree in Public Administration.

Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.

1987 – 2001, instructor, senior instructor, associate professor at the department of tennis; professor and chair of the department of individual and team sports; vice-rector for academic affairs at the Order of Lenin State Central Institute of Physical Culture;

2001 – 2006, Rector of the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, a government institution of higher professional education;

2006 – 2016, President of the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sport, Youth and Tourism, a federal state-funded institution of higher education;

2016 – 2020, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation on the promotion of university sports at the Russian Olympic Committee;

In 2005 – 2015 he served as President of the Russian Student Sport Union. He was elected President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in 2015, and re-elected to the post in 2019.

He was appointed Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation by Presidential Executive Order No. 45 of 21 January, 2020.

Recipient of government decorations (Order of Friendship, 2006; Order of Honour, 2017) and a number of departmental awards.