Russian Biathletes monopolise Podium of Men’s 10km Sprint

OSRBLIE – In the morning of 27 January, 2015, Russian biathletes distinguished themselves during the men’s 10km sprint. Indeed, Yaroslav Ivanov (Surgut State University) finished on the highest step of the podium ahead of his compatriots Maksim Burtasov (State Geodesic Academy of Siberia) and Yuri Shopin (Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University) on the course of the National Centre Biathlon in Osrblie.

Men’s 10k Sprint podium (fr. l. to r.Maksim Burtasov, Iaroslav Ivanov and Yuri Shopin)

This is the first gold medal in biathlon for the Russian delegation at the 27th Winter Universiade, after Ekaterina Avvakumova winning a bronze medal in the individual women’s 15km and a silver and bronze medal won by Vadim Filimonov and Yuri Shopin in the individual 20km.

For his first participation in the Winter Universiade, Yaroslav mounted the highest podium flanked by two of his teammates. “Even though we are part of the Russian national B team and we often train together, competing against my teammates and friends does not really bother me. It is rather amusing. When I start a competition, I do not think of the others, I just try to do my best”, Yaroslav commented. “We are friends for over a year now, but once on the track and when the race starts, it is no longer a question of friendship. It’s every man for himself until the end of the race”, Yuri Shopin added.

Gold medallist Iaroslav Ivanov on the finish line

Before arriving at the Universiade, Yaroslav’s objective was aimed at the Top 5 and he did not really think of winning the gold medal. “I knew that the level is pretty high, but I had been training accordingly. I am delighted that all the hard work paid off.”

Both biathletes also said to be delighted with the quality of the organisation, infrastructure and the track. “The snow was perfect today. I hope it is the same for the following days. We look forward to the next competitions to try to take home more medals to Russia.”

David Vandenplas, Media Assistant