Anastasiia Merkushyna's Golden Performance
Ukrainian biathlete Anastasiia Merkushyna has claimed the European Championship title in the individual race, held in Sjusjøen, Norway. Merkushyna delivered a flawless shooting performance (0+0+0+0) and finished with a time of 45:33.9. The silver medal was won by Samuela Comola, who finished 3 seconds behind, while bronze went to Volidya Galmas Polen, trailing by 4.8 seconds. This victory marks a significant achievement for Ukraine in a sport long dominated by Northern and Central European nations.
Other Ukrainian participants in the event finished as follows:
- Valeriia Dmytrenko – 19th place
- Nadiia Bielkina – 31st place
- Liliia Steblyna – 79th place
Ukraine's Delegation for the 2026 Winter Olympics
In related news, Ukraine has finalized its delegation for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The delegation will consist of 103 individuals, including 46 athletes, 42 coaches, doctors, massage therapists, technical staff, and 15 members of the national team's management. The Ukrainian team will compete across 11 sports at the Olympics, demonstrating the country's broad winter sports program. The sports are:
- Biathlon
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Combined
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Luge
- Skeleton
- Snowboarding
- Ski Jumping
- Freestyle Skiing
- Figure Skating
- Short Track Speed Skating
Merkushyna's European gold is a testament to the rising success of Ukrainian biathletes and their preparedness for major international competitions. This achievement is likely to boost interest in biathlon within Ukraine and inspire a new generation of athletes. The confirmed 2026 Olympic delegation provides a platform for Ukrainian competitors to showcase their talents across a diverse range of winter disciplines, highlighting the nation's athletic depth as it prepares for the global stage in Milan-Cortina.