Belarus’ Anton Smolski wins all events at Commonwealth Cup in Sochi

Anton Smolski won all three events at the first leg of the Commonwealth Cup at the Laura Biathlon and Ski Center in Sochi.

On 7 September, the Belarusian clocked the best time in the sprint. The day before Anton Smolski won the pursuit race.

Chief coach of the Belarusian national biathlon team Roman Sinichenko told the media about the athletes’ readiness for the autumn roller-ski season.

“At the moment the athletes are in a good physical shape. There are eight athletes on the team. As you understand, everyone's body reacts differently to the load. We did not do any special preparations for this event. These months important for the athletes’ functional and physiological development for the season should not be wasted. If we had reduced the volume and intensity of loads here, I think this would have affected our results in the season. Our preparation is focused directly on the winter season,” he said. “It is logical to plan the peak of form in February, the time for the Olympic Games.

Unfortunately, the calendar does not let us participate in competitions during this period. It will be the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Strongest Athletes, in which we are not taking part. Therefore, our main focus will be on the Russian Biathlon Championship due in Tyumen in March 2024.”
The second leg of the Commonwealth Cup will take place in Russia’s Ufa on 15-17 December.

Press department NOC Belarus