Official Statement from the Biathlon Federation of Ukraine on Yuliia Zhuravok
The Biathlon Federation of Ukraine (FBU) has addressed the relocation of former biathlete Yuliia Zhuravok to Russia, where she has taken up a coaching role. The controversy also involves Ukrainian national team members who liked one of her social media posts. The FBU clarified that Zhuravok stopped competing for Ukraine’s national team in 2022 and has had no ties with the federation since then. Furthermore, her return to the Ukrainian squad is impossible because she holds Russian citizenship.
In its statement, the FBU noted: 'In recent days, media and social networks have been actively spreading information about the move of former biathlete Yuliia Zhuravok to Russia, where she began coaching, as well as about certain members of the Ukrainian national team liking her post.' The federation also held personal meetings with the athletes and coaches who liked Zhuravok’s post. Some of them explained that it was accidental while scrolling through their news feeds.
'Yuliia Zhuravok’s decision regarding her future professional activities is her personal choice. The Biathlon Federation of Ukraine has nothing to do with it,' the FBU stated.
Reactions from Ukrainian Athletes
The female biathletes from the national team who liked Zhuravok’s post include:
- Valeriia Dmytrenko
- Anna Kryvonos
- Liubov Kypiachenkova
- Nadiia Bielkina
Others who also engaged with the post include Olympic biathlon champion Valentyna Semerenko, former naturalized Russian athletes for Ukraine Olga Abramova and Maria Panfilova, men’s B-team head coach Serhii Zots, and former Ukrainian national team biathlete Vitalii Kilchytskyi.
This situation highlights the strained relationships between Ukrainian athletes and Russian realities, especially amid the current political climate. Zhuravok’s move to Russia and her subsequent activities there have sparked mixed reactions among Ukrainian sports figures and fans, raising questions about ethical standards in sports against the backdrop of existing international norms and sanctions. The Biathlon Federation of Ukraine remains firm in its stance regarding the participation of Russian athletes in competitions, underscoring its commitment to preserving sporting integrity and patriotic principles.
The recent developments surrounding Yuliia Zhuravok's move to Russia and the reactions of Ukrainian athletes have sparked significant discussion within the biathlon community. For a deeper understanding of how some biathletes have shown support for Zhuravok's transition, you can read more about their interactions and sentiments in our detailed report on this support for a colleague's relocation.