Zots: More experienced athletes should be better. If they have equal results with the young, we will give preference to the latter

Senior coach Ukrainian women’s biathlon team Mykola Zots commented on the choice of the composition of the national team for Summer World Cup 2023 in Slovak Brezno-Osrbli.

“The representatives who are better prepared at the moment usually go to the summer world championship. We had two control races in Syanki, according to which we selected six better prepared athletes. Elena Bilosyuk remains in the national team, there is an extended squad, 12 people.

We have such a vector to rejuvenate the team. Athletes who are more experienced and want to be on the team, they should be better. If they have equal results with younger athletes, then we will give preference to younger ones.”

“Three juniors are preparing with the national team, although four will go to the World Cup. Ksenia Prikhodko, Alexandra Merkushina and Elena Gorodnaya are preparing with the national team. All three of them are promising, but they must understand that it takes a little patience and time. They are still in their youth, 2004-2005. And with all due respect, to compete with 2002-2003… But the girls are cool, with great prospects.”

Recall that on August 16, the compositions of the women’s and men’s teams for the 2023 Summer World Cup became known. The surprise was the non-inclusion of Elena Bilosyuk in the main list.

Zots was officially appointed as the new head coach of the Ukrainian women’s biathlon team in April 2023. The coaching staff included Igor Yashchenko, Oleg Merkushin, Alexei Petrenko and Sergei Zots.

Summer World Cup 2023 in Slovakia will be held August 24-27. The competition program includes super sprints, sprints, pursuit races (juniors) and mass starts (adults).