The start of the new biathlon season is getting closer and closer. However, Yuliia Dzhima is in danger of missing the first competitions in Östersund, Sweden.
According to Ukrainian national biathlon coach Uros Velepec, Dzhima fell ill during a team meeting in Oberhof.
“It was more serious than a cold or a mild cold, so she decided to take a longer break. That is, to recover 100 percent and then start work,” the biathlon coach revealed to “Suspilne Sport.”
Dzhima finished 33rd in the overall World Cup last winter. This made the 33-year-old the best athlete from Ukraine.
Remaining chance for the start of the biathlon season
According to Velepec, Dzhima will train with Dmytro Pidruchny in the coming days. The 31-year-old will miss the biathlon season opener in Östersund (from November 25th) after a persistent injury.
“Yes, we have made the decision that Yuliia Dzhima will prepare for the second stop of the World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria,” said her coach.
But a start in Sweden is not yet completely off the table. “There is of course a chance that if she feels great on November 15th and 17th, she might come to help the team at the first stop in Östersund in the mixed and women’s relay,” Velepec continued.
Relay gold medal at the 2014 Olympics
At the moment, however, it seems more realistic that Dzhima will only intervene in the action from the second World Cup stop in Hochfilzen (December 8th to 10th).
Dzhima celebrated her greatest success in biathlon at the 2014 Winter Olympics. At that time, the now 33-year-old won the gold medal with the Ukrainian relay ahead of Norway and the Czech Republic. At the World Championships, Dzhima won two silver and three bronze medals.