MINSK, 14 May (BelTA) - Belarusian biathletes made great progress last season and showed why this sport is deservedly one of the leading in the country, Belarus' NOC President Viktor Lukashenko said at a ceremony to honor athletes, coaches and leadership of the Belarusian Biathlon Federation in the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus (NOC), BelTA has learned.
"The Belarusian team has seriously improved, as evidenced by the results that we all know well. These are the victories of Dzinara Alimbekava and Hanna Sola. We did good in relays. The men's team showed much better results as well. It is obvious that biathlon is progressing and has proved to be one of the leading sports in Belarus," Viktor Lukashenko said.
Speaking about the near-term plans, the head of the NOC recalled that next year biathletes will be up for a serious test at the Olympic Games in the Chinese capital. “Next February, the Beijing Olympics will be a serious test for all of us. Biathlon is one of the few winter sports where we can win medals. WE count on you and will support you in every way," Viktor Lukashenko added.
Valery Vakulchik, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Belarusian Biathlon Federation, emphasized the role of the state and the NOC of Belarus in supporting biathlon.
“I credit my good results last season to the quality pre-season training. Specialists who worked with the team helped me a a lot. My motivation to show my best was one of the key factors. Moreover, my shooting performance was stable; I felt more confident with each race, and everything turned out well. At the end of the season I wanted to continue racing. Vacation is the most difficult period for me. The most important thing for me is to keep shape and to approach the Olympic season fully prepared,” said Dzinara Alimbekava.
At the end of the official part of the meeting, the parties exchanged gifts.
Last season Dzinara Alimbekava won gold and silver at the BMW IBU World Cup in Hochfilzen. Later she secured silver medals in the pursuit in Nove Mesto and in the mass start in Ostersund. The biathlete finished the season seventh overall in the World Cup rankings and first among the athletes under 25.
Hanna Sola won the bronze medal in the sprint at the 2021 Biathlon World Championships in Slovenia. The biathlete was also third in the pursuit at the Biathlon IBU World Cup in Ostersund.
The Belarusian women's team won two more silver medals in the relay at the BMW IBU World Cup in Oberhof and Nove Mesto. The team moved up to the fifth position in the Nations Cup standings and increased their representation. In the sprint and individual events the Belarusian women's team can be represented by six athletes now.
The Belarusian men's team finished ninth in the Nations Cup, maintaining their quota of five athletes.
Photos courtesy of Belarus' NOC
