Olympics-2026: How Ukrainian biathletes are preparing for the main starts in Antholz.

According to inkorr.com: The Ukrainian biathlon team is actively preparing for the new Olympic season 2025/26, during which the Olympics-2026 will take place in Italy. An important stage of preparation will be training at the arena in Italian Antholz, where key competitions are held.

“We have been there twice already this year. Yes, it is not easy - the altitude is quite serious, 1600 meters. But the head coach competently organizes the preparation and the principle of planning the camps. This is how our preparation should look, so that in winter we can show results. This is a pretty good plus, as we need to get used to both the shooting range and the track, studying all the nuances of this place. This is a good advantage in the context of preparation for the Olympic Games. It will be a nice addition to our results,” said biathlete Vitaliy Mandzin.

After participating in the summer championship of Ukraine, held in Syanky, Mandzin will focus on preparing for the main part of the season and the Olympic Games-2026. The biathlete is also eager to continue his development as one of the leaders of the national team.

Preparation for the main season and the Winter Olympic Games 2026

The main season starts in late November with the World Cup stage in Swedish Östersund. The Ukrainian team will have three months to prepare for the winter season, and the Olympics in Italy are scheduled for February 2026.

“We need to take a little rest; we are going home for a week to a week and a half to gather our emotions and strength. Then, with new strength, we will begin winter training. 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 are working on all these small details that affect the result,” summed up Mandzin.

Furthermore, Dmitry Pidruchny and Taras Lesyuk missed the summer championship of Ukraine in biathlon, but the team continues to actively prepare for upcoming challenges and competitions.

Currently, the Ukrainian biathletes are determined and confidently moving towards the Olympic Games in 2026. Both the competitions in Antholz and the World Cup stages will be important for their preparation. Support from fans and focus on training provides the team with the necessary momentum to achieve high results on the international stage.