The biathlon coaching benches are being filled more and more for the coming season. On Tuesday, the Czechs also presented their new team for the 2026/27 season. New to the coaching staff is an old acquaintance who is still one of the most successful ski hunters in the country.
The former Czech relay world champion Michal Šlesingr is returning to the first line of biathlon after several years in the background and will take over the national men’s team in the coming season together with his former teammate Ondřej Moravec. The Czech association announced this on Tuesday.
“I’m returning to an environment in which I have spent half my life. It will be a big challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve seen how well Ondřej Moravec works with the team and I’m also happy that [Sportchef] Ondřej Rybář will stay with us,” said Šlesingr in a first statement after his move was announced.
The 43-year-old has also been active in the Czech Biathlon Association in recent years, but only acted in the second row as technical coordinator. Now he is returning to the stage, which he knows well from his active time.
Sensational gold at the Biathlon World Championships will never be forgotten
“As an athlete, I have been through a lot and looking back, I see that I would have done some things differently. I believe that I can now pass on this experience to the boys,” said Šlesingr, who competed in 422 World Cup races during his active career before ending his career in 2020.
Šlesingr became the national face of biathlon not only through his long-term presence in the World Cup, but above all through his successes. During his career he won a complete set of medals at world championships. In 2007 in Antholz he won silver and bronze in the sprint and individual. In 2015 in Kontiolahti he sensationally won gold in the mixed relay. He also reached the top of the podium twice in the World Cup.
