Vladimir Alekno has been appointed head coach of the Iranian men's volleyball team for Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

Vladimir Alekno has been appointed head coach of the Iranian men's volleyball team for next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Alekno has a wealth of Olympic coaching experience, leading the Russian men's side to gold at London 2012 and a bronze medal at Beijing 2008. 

The 53-year-old is set to succeed Serbian coach Igor Kolakovic, who vacated the position in March.

Alekno will now coach the reigning Asian champions at the 2021 International Volleyball Federation Nations League and at Tokyo 2020, which was postponed to 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran have already booked a place in the Olympic contest and will meet hosts Japan, Poland, Italy, Canada and Venezuela in Pool A. 

Alekno, who was born in Belarus, started playing volleyball aged 10 before going on to study at a sports college in Minsk. 

Vladimir Alekno helped Russia to Olympic gold in the men's volleyball competition at London 2012 ©Getty Images
Vladimir Alekno helped Russia to Olympic gold in the men's volleyball competition at London 2012 ©Getty Images

His volleyball career as a player included stints at SKA Minsk, CSKA Moscow, Bulgaria’s Levski, Italy’s Asti and Spoletto and France’s Cannes and Tours, where he later coached from 1999 to 2004. 

He currently coaches Russian club Zenit Kazan. 

Iran qualified for the Olympic men's volleyball contest for the first time at Rio 2016, with the country finishing fifth. 

They will aim to improve on that position at the Ariake Arena in the Japanese capital, with the men's tournament scheduled to run from July 24 to August 7 2021.