MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – Representatives of the Belarusian national biathlon team are heading for Sochi to compete in the opening stage of the Commonwealth Cup. The competitions featuring the leading biathletes of Belarus and Russia will take place at the Laura Ski and Biathlon Center on 25-28 August, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian team will include 2022 Olympics silver medalist Anton Smolski, Dzmitry Lazouski, Maksim Varabei, Stsiapan Danilau, Aliaksandr Koshyn, and also 2018 Pyeongchang champion Dzinara Alimbekava, Alina Pilchuk, Darya Kudayeva and Adelina Sabitava.
The men's and women's sprint races are scheduled for 25 August, pursuits – 27 August and mass starts – 28 August. Another summer stage of the first Commonwealth Cup will be held in Raubichi, Belarus on 15-18 September. Biathletes will then travel to Ryazan for a winter stage on 23-24 December. Raubichi will host the following two stages in January 2023. The final will take place in Russia's Tyumen on 9-12 March.
Belarusian and Russian athletes are banned from international competitions held by the International Biathlon Union (IBU). Last week, the IBU Executive Board decided to recommend to the IBU Congress to maintain the suspension of Belarus' and Russia's membership of the IBU until certain conditions are met. The IBU Congress is set to meet in Salzburg in mid September.
