Oksana Khvostenko Named New Senior Coach of Ukraine’s Women’s Biathlon Squad
Oksana Khvostenko has been appointed as the new senior coach of Ukraine’s women’s biathlon team, succeeding Mykola Zots, who led the squad for three seasons. In recent years, foreign specialists—including Slovenia’s Uroš Velepec, who returned for the 2021/22 season—had been at the helm. Khvostenko, who previously coached the junior team, firmly believes that Ukrainian trainers outperform their international counterparts.
Under her guidance, the women’s junior team achieved notable success, securing the relay standings and the Nations Cup in the IBU Junior Cup season. Additionally, biathlete Tetiana Tarasiuk claimed the Small Crystal Globe in sprints. Khvostenko herself is a seasoned athlete: a four-time World Championship medalist, a six-time World Cup stage podium finisher, and a participant in the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games. Her best Olympic result was 20th place in the individual event in Turin. She retired from competitive biathlon after the 2010/11 season.
Khvostenko’s Convictions and New Appointments
The newly appointed senior coach of Ukraine’s women’s biathlon team is adamant that Ukrainian experts are just as capable as their foreign peers. She stated:
“People always say foreign specialists come in and know everything, while we understand nothing. I could argue this point for a long time—our coaches are still much stronger.”
Khvostenko also emphasized that
“coaches are in the team to try to improve everything: both results and standings in the overall ranking. A lot depends on the coach.”
The position of senior coach for the junior team will be taken over by Valentyna Semerenko. Khvostenko is convinced that conditions must be created for athletes who remain in the sport to achieve their highest potential. “We take what we can—our own, local resources—and from that, we try to shape and mold everything necessary so that the athlete who stays in the sport can show their best result,” she noted.
This appointment marks a significant milestone for the national team, especially as Ukraine shifts toward relying on homegrown coaching talent. Khvostenko’s track record with the junior squad highlights the potential of Ukrainian coaches, which could boost the team’s competitiveness on the global stage. Expectations for a revised coaching strategy and improved performance may prove pivotal in preparing for upcoming competitions.
In light of this significant change in leadership, it is worth noting that the Ukraine's Biathlon Federation has also made other pivotal appointments for its national teams. These updates reflect a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the performance of Ukrainian athletes on the international stage. For more details on the newly appointed coaches and their vision for the teams, read about the recent coaching changes in Ukrainian biathlon.