Ukraine's biathlon team prepares for the 2026 Olympics: preparation plan and expectations

The Ukrainian biathlon team is actively preparing for the new Olympic season 2025/26, when the 2026 Olympics will take place in Italy. One of the key aspects of this season is training at the stadium in Italian Antholz, where important competition starts will be held.

“We have been there twice this year. Yes, it's not easy - the altitude is quite serious, 1600 meters. But the head coach correctly organizes the training and planning of the gatherings. This is how our preparation should look so that we can show results in winter. This is a very good plus, because it is necessary to get accustomed to both the shooting range and the track, studying all the moments of this place. This is a good plus in the context of preparation for the Olympic Games. This will be a great addition to our results,” said biathlete Vitaliy Mandzin.

After participating in the summer championship of Ukraine in Syanki, the biathlete will prepare for the main part of the season and the 2026 Olympics. Mandzin also plans to continue his progress as one of the leaders of the national team.

Preparation for the main season and the winter Olympic Games 2026

The main season will begin at the end of November with the World Cup stage in Östersund, Sweden. The Ukrainian team will have another three months to prepare for the winter season. The Olympics in Italy will take place in February 2026.

“We need to rest a bit, we are going home for a week to a week and a half to gather emotions and strength. Then, with renewed strength, we will proceed to winter preparation. We need to work on all aspects of biathlon, as there is room for improvement. Biathlon is a complex discipline: both skiing and shooting. We work on all these details that affect the result,” Mandzin summarized.

It is worth noting that Dmytro Pidruchnyi and Taras Lesiuk missed the summer biathlon championship of Ukraine, but the Ukrainian team continues active preparation for upcoming challenges and competitions.