General

Norwegian biathletes banned from using hypoxic masks after Bakken’s death

Published

3 weeks ago

December 26, 2025

Thomas

Norwegian biathletes banned from using hypoxic masks after Bakken’s death

Sievert Backen / Photo: © DeFodi Images / Contributor / DeFodi Images / Gettyimages.ru

Norwegian biathletes have been banned indefinitely from using hypoxic masks following the death of three-time European champion Sievert Bakken, said Emily Nordskar, acting secretary general of the Norwegian Biathlon Association.

The death of 27-year-old Bakken became known on Tuesday. The Norwegian Biathlon Association said the athlete was wearing a hypoxic mask when his body was discovered in a hotel room in Italy.

— There were many questions regarding the use of high-altitude (hypoxic) masks by our athletes. All we can say is that the use of this type of equipment is not part of the organized training program of the Norwegian Biathlon Association.

However, we are aware that some athletes have purchased such equipment. Any use of it must, of course, comply with the rules of the Olympic Council, which are also adhered to by the Norwegian Biathlon Association. The use of such equipment is not contrary to Norwegian sporting regulations.

However, we did the following: on Christmas Eve, we sent out a message to all our athletes that all use of this equipment must immediately cease until further notice,” Nordskar NRK quotes.

Bakken is the winner of the World Cup stages, the owner of the small Crystal Globe in the mass start competition. In 2022, Bakken was diagnosed with myocarditis.

Source: Sportbox

Thomas

Thomas Astudillo is a sports journalist and author who writes for Sportish. He has a deep love and knowledge of sports, and is known for his engaging and informative writing on the latest sports news and events.

General

“Race of Champions” in biathlon and skiing: when does it start, where to watch the mixed relay online on January 4

Published

1 week ago

January 3, 2026

Thomas

“Race of Champions” in biathlon and skiing: when does it start, where to watch the mixed relay online on January 4

Alexander Kornev / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexander Vilf

As part of the TECHNONICOL Race of Champions in biathlon and skiing in Ryazan on Sunday, January 4, a mixed relay will be held.

10 teams, formed of 4 athletes each: a skier, a cross-country skier, a biathlete and a biathlete, will take to the start line. The composition of the teams was determined based on the results of the qualifications.

You can follow the progress of the race on the Match TV channel from 11:30 Moscow time, as well as on the websites sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru.

Compositions of participating teams:

Latypov’s team: Lidiya Gorbunova, Elizaveta Burundukova, Eduard Latypov, Alexander Bakurov;

Stepanova’s team: Natalia Shevchenko, Veronika Stepanova, Ivan Yakimushkin, Daniil Usov;

Bazhin’s team: Alina Pekletsova, Inna Tereshchenko, Kirill Bazhin, Egor Mitroshin;

Lazovsky’s team: Irina Kazakevich, Ekaterina Smirnova, Alexander Terentyev, Dmitry Lazovsky;

Povarnitsyn’s team: Elizaveta Maslakova, Kira Dyuzheva, Alexander Povarnitsyn, Denis Spitsov;

Stupak team: Dinara Smolskaya, Yulia Stupak, Pavel Solovyov, Evgeniy Sidorov;

Kornev’s team: Alexander Kornev, Sergey Volkov, Ekaterina Nikitina, Svetlana Mironova;

Loginov’s team: Artem Maltsev, Alexander Loginov, Victoria Slivko, Alena Baranova;

Smolsky team: Anton Smolsky, Ivan Gorbunov, Tatyana Sorina, Polina Plyusnina;

Babikov’s team: Konstantin Tiunov, Anton Babikov, Tamara Derbusheva, Anastasia Faleeva.

Open video

Source: Sportbox

Thomas

General

Konstantin Tiunov and Lidiya Gorbunova became the best in the Champions Race qualification among skiers

Published

1 week ago

January 3, 2026

Thomas

Konstantin Tiunov and Lidiya Gorbunova became the best in the Champions Race qualification among skiers

Konstantin Tiunov / Photo: © Denis Bushkovsky / Match TV

Konstantin Tiunov and Lidiya Gorbunova became winners of the TechnoNIKOL ski and biathlon qualification. Race of Champions” in Ryazan among skiers.

Tiunov covered 6 km in 15 minutes 23.5 seconds. Second place was shared by Artem Maltsev and Pavel Solovyov (lag – 0.3 seconds).

Gorbunova became the best among women with a result of 16 minutes 20.4 seconds. Alina Pekletsova (+0.4) showed the second time, Elizaveta Maslakova (+2.7) took third place.

The mixed relay will take place on Sunday, starting at 12:00 Moscow time.

Watch the live broadcast of the “Race of Champions” from 11:30 on the Match TV channel, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

Source: Sportbox

Thomas

General

Anton Smolsky and Natalia Shevchenko won the Champions Race qualification among biathletes

Published

1 week ago

January 3, 2026

Thomas

Anton Smolsky and Natalia Shevchenko won the Champions Race qualification among biathletes

Natalia Shevchenko / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexey Filippov

Belarusian Anton Smolsky and Russian Natalia Shevchenko became the winners of the skiing and biathlon qualification “TechnoNIKOL. Race of Champions” in Ryazan among biathletes.

Smolsky covered 5 km in 13 minutes 19.8 seconds and made one miss on four shooting ranges. Second place went to Alexander Kornev (+16.0; 2 misses), third place went to Alexander Povarnitsyn (+22.0; 2). Three-time Olympic bronze medalist Eduard Latypov showed the fifth result (+26.9; 3).

Shevchenko avoided mistakes and became the best among women – 14 minutes 18.6 seconds. Irina Kazakevich (+23.9; 1) had the second time, Belarusian Dinara Smolskaya (+32.5; 1) took third place.

At these moments, the skiers are qualifying.

Watch the live broadcast of the competition on the Match TV channel, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

Source: Sportbox

Thomas