So far, the Slovak coaches Prima, Dudchenko, Tsymbal, Nasyko and Lesyuk
Head coach of the Ukrainian men’s biathlon team Yuraj Sanitra said that he arrived in Ukraine to prepare for the new season. At the same time, according to the Slovak, he now has only five athletes at his disposal.
“Three months ago after the Beijing Olympics, when we said goodbye to the guys at Frankfurt Airport, we had big plans and wanted to finish the season with dignity. We were waiting for three more stages of the World Cup. At the same time, we have practically already prepared plans for the next season with the athletes. We have already discussed with the management my desire to work further. Almost everything was ready for it.”
“The war, which began on February 24 as a Russian invasion, ruined the lives of many people. It also affected the sports life of the country, and my personal life. I have been working in Ukraine for six years now. My attitude towards her is very cordial. When the war started, I was very worried about my athletes, friends and people who were here. So far, I haven’t given any interviews.”
“For a long time I thought that I have the opportunity to work in other teams. It was necessary to make a decision, because in this situation it is not easy to refuse the incoming offers. My character did not allow me to leave the guys, the team, Ukraine and my six-year job. So I took the risk and decided to work with the men’s team in the future. I believe that in this difficult time the situation will improve, and I believe in the victory of Ukraine.”
“We are now getting out of the situation we have. We decided to make the first collection in Ukraine. I thought for a long time how I would get there, but decided that I would come. I had to meet with the athletes and understand what condition they are in.”
“I wanted, as usual, at the beginning of the Olympic cycle in the team and at the first training camp I had ten athletes. But in this position the leadership [Федерации] said that I could only take six, because of this I had to change the whole strategy. Now I have almost five athletes: Artem Prima, Anton Dudchenko, Bogdan Tsymbal, Denis Nasyko and Taras Lesyuk. It is a pity that the captain of the team Dmitry Pidruchny could not get rid of his duties. I hope that in the coming days they will make a positive decision on him so that he can prepare.”
The new season of the Biathlon World Cup starts on November 29 with a stage in Finnish Kontiolahti. The German Oberhof will host the World Championship in February next year.
Source: Sportarena
