The death of Igor Malinovsky shocked the world of Russian biathlon. Until recently, he was considered one of the main talents of his generation: at international tournaments among juniors, the athlete showed amazing results. Recently, however, the young man gave up big sports for the sake of a pilot career, which he had dreamed of since childhood.

Unfortunately, Igor did not stay long in his new profession: only a few months. The flight from the Uzan volcano to the village of Milkovo was the last for Malinovsky. On July 16, the helicopter crew stopped communicating, and on July 17, rescuers found the missing ship. The aircraft crashed and burned out. All three people on board were killed.

Russia mourns the tragic death of a former biathlete.

“A tragedy for our sport”

Among the first to respond to the news of the death of Malinovsky were the Russian Biathlon Union, which was later joined by the International Union (IBU). The RBU expressed condolences to the family and friends of the ex-sportsman and recalled Igor’s outstanding achievements in the biathlon field.

The former head of the union, Vladimir Drachev, also spoke out. According to him, Malinovsky’s sports career did not work out not only because of his passion for aviation. The specialist suggests that in his youth the athlete was “overloaded”, because of which he became unnecessarily susceptible to injury and ultimately “burned out”.

— There was a tragedy for our sport and the country. The man was outstanding and gifted in his field, after all, there are not so many five-time world champions, albeit in juniors. So obviously he was stronger than his peers. Unfortunately, I chose a profession with great risk. We will grieve for a wonderful person,” the ex-president said.

“Shirt Guy”

The current coaches of the Russian national team did not stand aside, who retained warm memories of Igor.

– He hasn’t run for a year and a half, so much time and we didn’t see Malinovsky. The girls flew to Kamchatka, called each other in the spring. And I have known him since childhood. We went to the first European Games with him. When we went to the first competition, he received bonuses and bought gifts for all his friends, teachers at the Aviation Institute. Basically, that’s how he went through life. Shirt-guy, – quotes the coach of the Russian women’s team Mikhail Shashilov “Championship”.

“We are all very sorry. The whole team has been closely following the news in recent days. He was still a part of our men’s team for quite a long time, showing great promise. It is a pity first of all for a person, and secondly for an athlete. As far as I know, he hesitated whether to leave biathlon or not, to concentrate only on flying or not. I could completely return, reboot and perform. The guy is still young, – said Yuri Kaminsky, coach of the Russian men’s team.

Igor Malinovsky / Photo: © Lubos Pavlicek / CTK / Global Look Press

“Young, ambitious, had his own opinion”

Regretted the departure of Igor from sports and four-time Olympic champion in the USSR national team Alexander Tikhonov.

– Everyone thought that he would bring many victories to Russia, but then he became capricious and ended his career. It is not clear what happened there. It’s a pity that such a guy left us. Still, he showed very encouraging results, ”RIA Novosti Sport quotes Tikhonov.

The former coach of the Russian national team Valery Polkhovsky also saw great prospects in Igor.

– Igor and I crossed paths in various teams, a promising biathlete. I remember that Igor prepared a lot on his own. Young, ambitious, did not agree with some positions, had his own opinion. I could devote the summer to working with a personal trainer, and in the winter I proved the right to participate in international competitions and won high places. I always dreamed of the sky, and in the end it pulled him over, – quotes the words of Polkhovsky “Match TV”.

Judging by the words of the ex-coach of the national team Vladimir Barnashov, Igor was just as ambitious in flying.

– He was a purposeful guy, but he loved flying even more, he always dreamed about it. When he graduated from the flight school in Omsk, he was in such a mood, such excitement! .. I wanted to get as much practice as possible, so I went straight to Kamchatka to my father. It is very unfortunate that this happened, – Barnashov regrets.

Photo: © Personal archive of Igor Malinovsky

“Like a native child was torn off”

Another specialist who worked with Malinovsky, Alexander Kasperovich, spoke emotionally about the unexpected loss.

“This is a very big loss for us. Moreover, this boy came to us quite young in the team. He was trained and practically, as you know, they torn off his own child. We are sorry that such an accident happened. Condolences to all. There was so much positive in him, the desire to live, to fly … I just can’t believe that all this happened. We knew this guy very well. And now it is before my eyes how he first came to us for a training camp in Ulyanovsk. Everything is now flying, flying in my head, – Kasperovich worries.

The former coach of the Russian junior team Maxim Ikhsanov knew Malinovsky better than many. His news of Igor’s death took him by surprise.

“We have worked a lot together. I’m at a loss. I can only say good things about Igor. At the training camp, he did everything. He was very fond of both biathlon and aviation,” Ikhsanov said.

Igor Malinovsky / Photo: © SBR

“Malinovsky was attracted by the sky”

The tragic death of Malinovsky shocked his colleagues in the shop. Many current biathletes expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased on social networks and comments for the media.

— Igor. Bright memory! It shouldn’t be like this… — wrote Olympic medalist Irina Kazakevich

“Thoughts swirling in my head: “How can this be? Why? He is so young, mischievous “… There are no words … – said in the post of the Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Yulia Stupak.

– Condolences to Igor’s relatives … We ran a lot together, talked. He was always an emotional and cheerful guy, – quotes the European champion Victoria Slivko “Match TV”.

Finally, the voice of Russian biathlon Dmitry Guberniev could not stay away. The commentator confirmed Drachev’s words, stating that at the junior level, “all the juice was squeezed out of Malinovsky.” The specialist hoped that after leaving the sport, Igor would succeed as a pilot.

“I really loved this guy. This is a big tragedy for me personally. He was a very bright person – open eyes, a beautiful smile. I wanted Malinovsky to become a real biathlon star. Unfortunately, this was not possible, although as a junior he fully realized himself. Malinovsky was attracted by the sky, he dreamed of the sky. Igor told a lot about how he would fly. I so hoped that he would have a wonderful career as a pilot. The sky took him away, – summed up Guberniev.