Sludge battle in the team
Boiler with national coach? Biathlete threatens to resign
25.02.2025 – 8:13 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Athlete Andrejs Rastorgujevs claims to have been beaten by his trainer. However, the accused describes the situation completely differently.
The return from the biathlon World Cup in Lenzerheide was anything but quiet for the Latvian mass start vice world champion Andrejs Rastorgujevs. At Riga Airport, the 36-year-old made serious accusations against national coach Ilmārs Bricis in an interview with the Latvian television station “Latvijas Televīzija”.
The biathlete claims that he had become palpable towards him: “He beat me and broke my finger. I think my shoulder is also quite hurt,” said Rastorgujevs. He then announced that he would go to the hospital and be examined.
This was preceded by a dispute between the two-which is said to be escalated after the single mixed relay and before the men’s relay. Rastorgujevs accuses Bricis of stealing skis from the team material. However, the 54-year-old decisively rejects the allegations. According to his presentation, Rastorgujevs initially accused a member of the theft team. The trainer had protected the person and asked for an apology. The argument was then escalated in his hotel room.
He also denies that he had beaten his athletes: the two wrestled “hard”, but: “We are not boxers,” said Bricis and emphasized that he had thrown off Rastorgujevs. Also because his one -year -old son is said to have been in the room.
The trainer receives support from his wife and successful biathlete Baiba Bendika. She described Rastorgujevs as “mentally unstable”. Her husband only took responsibility and protected the child in the conflict. Rastorgujevs performed “aggressively”.
The athlete now apparently provided the Latvian association an ultimatum. If Bricis is not released, Rastorgujevs emerge from the national team. The Latvian Biathlon Association (LBF) has so far resisted with a statement. Both participants had asked for a written declaration and will not make any further comments until all circumstances are clarified.