Ukrainian Biathlon Team Secures World Cup Success
At the sixth stage of the Biathlon World Cup in Nové Město, Czech Republic, on January 22, 2026, the Ukrainian team finished fifth in the single mixed relay. This result was achieved after the German team was disqualified for a violation of firearm handling rules. The biathlon World Cup is a premier international circuit, making a top-five finish a significant accomplishment for any nation.
Represented by Olena Horodna and Vitalii Mandzyn, the Ukrainian duo delivered a strong performance. Olena Horodna was particularly impressive, using only 53.2 seconds on her two shooting ranges, the best time among all female participants at the stage. The German team's disqualification stemmed from an infraction by biathlete Marlen Fichtner. Finland won the event, with the Ukrainian team finishing 42.4 seconds behind the leaders.
Steady Progress for Ukrainian Biathlon
This marks a notable improvement for Ukraine, which placed 12th in the season's first single mixed relay. Furthermore, January 22, 2026, brought another victory for Ukrainian biathlon:
- An unnamed brother and sister pair won gold at the Junior European Biathlon Championships.
This was Ukraine's second medal at those championships and its first junior European biathlon gold in six years.
The team's performance demonstrates gradual progress compared to earlier competitions, even accounting for the circumstances of a rival's disqualification. The success at the junior level underscores the growing potential of Ukraine's young athletes. These achievements could provide crucial motivation and support for the further development of biathlon in Ukraine, helping to inspire the next generation of competitors.