Biathlon: Ukrainian team starts in Östersund without leader Dzhima

According to НОК: The first stage of the 2025/26 Biathlon World Cup kicks off in the Swedish city of Östersund. Athletes are expected to compete in 58 races across 9 venues, with the main event of the season being the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026 at the stadium in Antholz, well-known to biathletes.

The composition of the Ukrainian team for the first stage of the World Cup includes: for men - Dmytro Pidruchnyi, Vitalii Mandzyn, Anton Dudchenko, Artem Tishchenko, Bohdan Tsymbal, Bohdan Borkovskyi; for women - Khrystyna Dmytrenko, Olena Horodna, Oleksandra Merkusheva, Anastasia Merkusheva, Valeriia Dmytrenko, Daryna Chalyk. Among them are two absolute World Cup debutants: Bohdan Borkovskyi and Valeriia Dmytrenko.

“The leader of the women's team, Olympic champion Yuliia Dzhima, will miss the competitions due to a finger injury,” reported the Biathlon Federation of Ukraine.

The competition program includes six disciplines, including classic relays, mixed relays, individual races, sprints, and pursuit races. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, classic relays will open the season on November 29. A successful start to the season is important, as 8 out of the first 10 races affect the distribution of quotas for the next season.

Struggle for participation in the Olympic Games

Ukrainian biathletes have secured 10 licenses to participate in the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026. The upcoming races will be crucial for the battle for a spot on the participating team. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine wished Ukrainian biathletes success in the new season and urged fans to support them during the broadcasts on Suspilne and Suspilne Sport.

The first stage of the 2025/26 Biathlon World Cup has started in Östersund. Athletes are preparing for a tough fight for victories at 9 venues this season, which will end with the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026. Ukrainian biathletes have received 10 licenses to participate in the Olympics, making this season crucial for determining the team composition.