Belarusian biathletes win three medals at Strongest Cup in Raubichi

The national Olympic winter sports center Raubichi is playing host to the Strongest Cup in Biathlon. The Belarusian team won three medals on the first competition day.

Anton Smolski secured a champion title in sprint.The clean-shooting Belarusian clocked 24:34.30 to secure his dominance.

Ilya Auseyenka collected bronze in the event.

President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko led an official ceremony to award the winners and medalists of the Strongest Cup sprint race.

Sprint winner Anton Smolski praised the atmosphere and shared his impressions after the awards ceremony:

“Every year we are getting better athostingsuch important competitions.It is very pleasant to win at home, being able to listen to the national anthem played, and see the stands full of fans. There was even an attempt to hand me a flag. I understoodhowever that it was not a contact race, and I had to keep accelerating to the finish.It is great that people believe in me!

Clean-shooting Dzinara Smolskaya finished second behind winner Natalia Shevchenko of Russia.

“We had a high-altitude training camp before the competition in Raubichi, so I am in good shape right now. This morning, I realized that I was ready to compete for medals.I started the sprint at a high speed and kept the pace for quite long.It is great that my shooting went well, too. Ahead of the last lap I felt that I had a bit too much. I did my best, but my rival was faster.I am happy with the race today. The fans are happy, and that is the most important thing,” Dzinara Smolskaya said.

A museum exposition of the most significant achievements of the Belarusian athletes in winter sports opened in Raubichi today.

Touring the exposition were President of the NOC of BelarusViktor Lukashenko, Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk, Minister of Sport of the Russian FederationMikhail Degtyarev, four-time Olympic biathlon champion Darya Domracheva and other outstanding athletes.

The Strongest Cup in Biathlon is running through 23 February. The event will continue with two pursuit races on 16 February.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus