A retired biathlete from Russia destroyed the champions in Europe. And she took a medal in the first race of the season

Biathlete Alina Stremous, who was not useful to the Russian national team at one time, continues to confidently perform on the international stage. In the very first race of the season, the former Russian woman got on the podium, leaving behind many titled athletes.

“I didn’t have all this”

It cannot be said that Stremous looked like an extremely promising athlete in the early stages of her biathlon career, but she periodically showed good results. In 2019, she won a silver medal at the Russian Championship in the patrol race as part of the Northwestern Federal District team.

A year later, Alina decided to change her citizenship, accepting the offer from Moldova. In Russia they did not interfere. Vladimir Drachev, who headed the Russian Biathlon Union, did not hide the fact that it would be almost impossible for an athlete to make it into the national team.

The transition benefited both Stremous and the Moldovan Biathlon Federation. Alina got the opportunity to fully train in good conditions without spending her own money on preparation for competitions.

— There are a lot of training camps, we run on good tracks, good funding, there is a training plan. Before the Moldavian national team, I didn’t have all this at all, or I had it, but in very measured quantities. I had to draw up training plans for myself, organize the training process, and at my own expense. And if not at your own expense, then you had to train at home. But at home there were few tracks,” Stremous said in an interview with the federation’s press service in 2022.

This year has been a breakthrough for Alina. For the first time in her career, she stood on the podium in the European Championship races, and she did it twice. The biathlete took gold in the pursuit and became second in the individual race.

Alina Stremous / Photo: © Kevin Voigt / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

“Glorifies us throughout the world”

The athlete started this season at the IBU Cup. On December 4, the first race of the stage took place in Obertilliach, Austria. 123 athletes took to the start of the sprint. By the will of the lot, Stremous got the second number, so she ran, not knowing the results of her main rivals.

Alina was quite good on the ski track, although she was in no hurry to shoot. But this tactic worked. Stremous hit all ten targets, allowing her to avoid any penalty loops. At the finish she showed the second result, losing only to the Frenchwoman Paula Botha (+44.2 seconds).

“I know how much effort Alina put into preparing for these competitions, and in general. She is a born fighter and has surprised us more than once with her excellent results. Alina Stremous is a true ambassador of Moldovan sports, who glorifies us throughout the world and makes us proud of the Republic of Moldova,” commented the President of the Biathlon Federation and President of the Winter Sports Association of the Republic of Moldova, Dmitry Torner, on the successful performance of the ex-Russian.

Alina Stremous (left) / Photo: © National Biathlon Team of Moldova

It was unrealistic to fight the Frenchwoman, but Alina was able to leave a number of titled athletes behind her. Another representative of France, Sophie Chaveau, who won the world relay championship in 2024, took only eighth place. Titled Pole Monika Chojnisz-Starenga, who was on the podium at the World and European Championships, finished 17th.

World champion in summer biathlon, still part of the Russian national team, Ekaterina Avvakumova continues to compete for South Korea, but the sprint was unsuccessful for her. Five-time European Championships medalist from Norway Caroline Erdahl showed only the 15th time. Winner of four gold medals at the youth and junior world championships, Julia Kink from Germany completely failed the race, finishing only in 39th position.

Unfortunately, Alina was unable to repeat her success two days later. With two penalties she was left without a medal in the second sprint, finishing 19th. But even one second place for Moldova can be considered a great success at the international level.