5 February 2022
Beijing 2022 Day 1: Biathlon in top 10, Zuyeva - in top 20

Team Belarus did not medal on the first day of the 24th Winter Olympic Games but was close to the podium. photo_2022-02-05_16-59-56.jpg

In Beijing, Belarusian Maryna Zuyeva finished 16th in the 3,000m in speed skating. The result was slightly lower than in Pyeongchang (11th). One of the leaders of the team and her coaching staff have great hopes on the 5,000m event and consider the first competition as a test event.

Dutch Irene Schouten won the Olympic gold in the 3,000m and set an Olympic record (!) of 3.56.93.

Belarusian fans had their attention on the National Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou, which is located more than 100km from Beijing.

Biathlon 11.JPGThe Belarusian team was among the favorites of the Mixed Relay 4x6km (W+M). However Dzinara Alimbekava, Hanna Sola, Mikita Labastau and Anton Smolski finished sixth. Dzinara Alimbekava had a great run but the wind at the shooting range was very strong. Hanna Sola did her best but made two missed and had to run two penalty loops. Mikita Labastau and Anton Smolski also performed well. Getting into the top 10 at the Olympic Games is undoubtedly a good working result. The athletes share this opinion too.

Biathlon 6.JPG

“The weather, of course, was difficult today, though it was like this the whole week. It was frosty and windy. The wind was ok before the competition. It's a pity that I had to use one extra bullet during the race. I saw Lisa Vittozzi lingering at the shooting range. I think I did well. I am not entirely satisfied, but it is better than using a lot of extras in such a wind and doing penalty loops. Most importantly, I did not freeze,” Dzinara Alimbekava said. Biathlon 17.JPG

“We did ok in the mixed relay. Of course, I wanted to make the podium. But the weather... I am satisfied with my performance. The leaders did mistakes too,” Anton Smolski noted.

“The cold got to me at the shooting standing. Although the wind was ok at the shooting range. For the time being we are struggling with the weather, it's cold. Today I have donned all the warm clothes I have. Frost does play an important role,” Hanna Sola said.

“I am satisfied with my shooting at the first Olympic race, especially when shooting in the prone position. I’d give us a B for our performance in the mixed relay. I used two extras. It was not bad. I wasn't very happy with my running, but I did my best. The sixth place at the Olympics is a good result, in my opinion,” Mikita Labastau noted.

Biathlon 12.JPGBiathlon 16.JPG                 

The next event on the Olympic biathlon schedule is Women’s 15km Individual with four shooting bouts on 7 February.

 

Press service of the NOC of Belarus

Photos by the Belarusian news agency BelTA


Share: