World Cup without Russia
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has approved the calendar for the next season. As part of the World Cup will be held nine stages in eight European countries. Before the New Year, the biathletes will compete in Ostersund, Hochfilzen and Annecy, and then in Oberhof, Ruhpolding, Pokljuka, Nove Mesto, Kontiolahti and Holmenkollen. The World Championships will be held in Italian Anterselva from February 13 to 23, 2020.
For the second season in a row, Russia will not take major biathlon starts. The IBU and junior cup stages are not planned in Russia either, and the European Championship has been delegated to Estonian Otepää.
🚨 ATTENTION 🚨
Our schedule for the 2019/2020 BMW World Cup Season:
1️⃣ Östersund - # OST19
2️⃣ Hochfilzen - # HOC19
3️⃣ @BiathlonALGB - # ALGB19pic.twitter.com / vp2mmV842T
Autumn Recovery
Partly the absence of major competitions in Russia is due to the fact that the Biathlon Union of the country (SBR) does not have full membership in the IBU, but temporary. Although this status should not prevent athletes from competing, and countries - to hold tournaments, Russia still does not trust the right to organize competitions until the national federation is restored in its rights.
On May 6, a meeting of the IBU working group on the restoration of the RRF was held, following which the executive director of the Russian organization, Sergei Golikov, said that the status change could happen this fall.
“According to our feelings, there was progress, because the representatives of the IBU agreed with many of our positions. And if our positions are coordinated with them, then the probability of making a positive decision at the executive committee increases significantly. There is a possibility that by the next meeting of the IBU Executive Committee, everyone states that the SBR has completed the road map for restoration. And, accordingly, the next IBU congress, which will be held in the fall, may decide to restore it, ”RIA Novosti quoted Golikov.
Heavy waiting for Vasilyeva
The IBU will also soon resolve the issue with Russian biathlete Margarita Vasilyeva. Last season, she missed three doping tests, which is a gross violation of the anti-doping rules and punishable by disqualification. Although the athlete claims that she did not receive any mention of one of the passes, the general director of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), Yuri Ganus, is confident that the athlete will be punished to the fullest extent.
“In my understanding, it’s stupid to get disqualified for violating accessibility rules. This is just stupid. It is very important that an athlete has two components that converge - his sports component and his inner culture. This is a question of responsibility. They relied on it, they invested forces and money into it. She was trained, and she will now be disqualified for a certain period, and the team will not be able to count on it. Her disqualification is a matter of time. Although this issue is considered not in RUSADA, but in the international federation, ”said Ganus.
Glazyrina debts
A week ago, the RRF published lists of athletes who entered the main and reserve teams. Among them was not returned to the sport after the disqualification and the birth of the child Catherine Glazyrina. Until 2017, she was firmly part of the women's team until she was accused of breaking the rules. This spring, the 32-year-old biathlete picked up her rifle and skis again and won the Russian championship. However, the call to the team did not receive.
One of the reasons for the absence of Glazyrina in the main team was that the athlete did not pay debts to the IBU - she should return the prize for those competitions in which her results were canceled. The biathlete herself claims that she is not going to do this. The SBR promised to support the athlete.
“If it is necessary for Katya to return, then we will settle all questions, not just a question of money. There is also a performance for a new region or for two regions. When we all decide them, then we will understand whether she will be selected for the team, according to what principles. And if it will be necessary, we will find in the end the possibility of how to help her. No Catherine wants harm. There are two regions, not the poorest and most unhappy, which, if she goes on to the national team, are able to solve this problem for her, ”said the SBR Vice-President Alexey Nuzhdov.
Samuelsson Criticism
Questions of Russian doping continue to worry Swedish biathlete Sebastian Samuelsson. This time the Olympic champion criticized the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency Craig Reedy for praising the work of RUSADA.
“I am once again disappointed due to the fact that our sports leaders give similar comments. Sir Craig Ridi focuses more on attacks from athletes with a different point of view than fighting doping, ”the athlete wrote on Twitter.
Disappointed again like this. Sir Craig Reedie focus more on attacking athletes than attacking doping. https://t.co/DAtKnDiQpA
- Sebastian Samuelsson (@SebbeSamuelsson) May 7, 2019Shipulin and dope
Olympic champion Anton Shipulin, who ended his career last season, admitted that he was offered to take doping, but he did not follow such advice.
“There were indirectly such proposals, but not direct ones. I immediately flatly said: "Do not even come to me with such questions." The most interesting moment begins a year before the Olympic Games. Comrades, psychologists, people who put your skis in some tank come, why they will go three times better. They offer some new techniques. This is crazy a year before the Olympics. And there are a lot of such frames. Here you need to be able to abstract from everything and go your own way, ”Shipulin told in an interview on the Commandos channel on YouTube.
The former biathlete is sure that in order to combat doping in Russia, it is necessary to toughen the penalties for its use and to arrange demonstration processes for taking illicit drugs.
“It is clear that in Russia there are certain problems. Recently, Putin signed a bill on fines for doping for athletes and coaches. I would even tightened so that none of the coaches and doctors had a desire to offer the athlete doping. Just be a criminal punishment. Two or three demonstrative executions so that even these thoughts disappear forever, especially among young athletes, ”Shipulin said in an interview with Russia 24.
Happiness Vilukhina
If Shipulin hopes to become a State Duma deputy after the completion of his career, then another former biathlete Olga Vilukhina is improving family life. Bronze medalist of the World Cup gave birth to a son and shared this event on Instagram.
“We were born! Weight 3230 g, height 51 cm. Roman Valerievich, we have been waiting for you for a long time, our treasure! You are our happiness and the meaning of life, ”Viluhina wrote under the photo of her son's tag.
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Post by Olga Vilukhina (@vilukhina_olga) May 4, 2019 at 7:06 am PDT
Climbing Dahlmeier
The holiday season in biathlon is still ongoing, and each spends his free time in his own way. German athlete Laura Dahlmeier once again took up mountaineering and conquered the highest point of Iran - Damavand Volcano, whose peak is located at an altitude of 5671 m.
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Publication by Laura_Dahlmeier (@laura_dahlmeier) 3 May 2019 at 2:57 PDT
Farewell to l'abe-lunda
The offseason is also a good time to announce your retirement. This moment took advantage of the Norwegian Henrik L'Abe-Lund, for 14 seasons representing his country in international competitions. The 33-year-old athlete, who won the World Cup relay race, admitted that he no longer feels the strength to continue to compete.
“In April, I was going to continue, I began to train a little and understood that the body and motivation are not the same as it used to be. Therefore, it would be more correct to find something else for yourself, ”said L'Abay-Lund NRK.