In view of the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, sanctions against Russian athletes remain in place. The Russian sport of biathlon also faces the big problem that important equipment that is developed abroad is missing. The biathlon boss is now sounding the alarm.
The chairman of the Russian Biathlon Federation Viktor Maigurov wants to improve the equipment for his athletes as soon as possible. The head of the RBU, in an interview with “championshipadmit: “There is no doubt that the sanctions will have an impact on the provision of equipment for biathletes.”
Numerous top Russian athletes actually use material from foreign manufacturers for their competitions. After the outbreak of war, cooperation was partially suspended, leaving Russia with a shortage of top-of-the-line equipment.
Maigurov pointed out that the association had “positive experience” with the use of local materials last season. At the Beijing Winter Olympics, for example, Russian biathletes “won a number of medals with products from Russian manufacturers selected as part of a joint project by the RBU and the Innovation Center of the ROC (Russian Olympic Committee, ed.)”.
Russia wants to continue working with foreign biathlon manufacturers
Nevertheless, Maigurov is also clear: “As for the rest, the development of elite-class devices will take not just years, but probably tens of years.”
“You can’t ignore that in today’s reality,” says the 53-year-old, who has been looking for new ways for a long time. Several meetings have already taken place with domestic sports associations and equipment manufacturers, in which State Duma deputies have also taken part. Nevertheless, the RBU chief is stepping on the brakes: “The work has started, but we shouldn’t expect immediate results.”
The association does not want to break off relations with foreign manufacturers, emphasized the former biathlete and Olympic participant, “but we are looking for ways to work together appropriately under the new circumstances”.