Piseyev, who has headed the Russian figure skating body since 1989, becomes the latest high-ranking sports official to quit after President Dmitry Medvedev ordered most federation bosses to resign or be fired in the wake of the country's dismal showing at last month's Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Many top coaches and skaters, including Vancouver silver medallist Yevgeny Plushenko, have been highly critical of Piseyev for the way he has run the federation.

On Wednesday, Plushenko backed 2002 Olympic pairs champion Anton Sikharulidze as the best possible candidate to lead the federation.