Biathlete Daria Virolainen could play for the Russian national team, she is not a weak athlete, but she did not apply for it, the coach of the Russian national team told Mikhail Shachilov .
On Friday, it became known that the International Biathlon Union (IBU) had authorized Virolainen to represent Finland in international competitions for the 2023/24 season. This summer, the 34-year-old athlete held a training camp in Altai at his own expense and trained under coach Leonid Myakishev.
– It would not be difficult for Daria to break into the Russian national team now, everything is in her power. Everything was in his hands. Since she decided to start now, congratulations, you can only respect her choice. And what will play for Finland, why not? She has lived there for a long time. I’m happy for her! And so, Virolainen could also play for Russia, she’s not a weak athlete, it could be fine. But Daria did not contact me with this question,” Shashilov told .
Last season, Virolainen competed twice in Finland, where she has lived for six years. The athlete received Finnish citizenship in 2021 and last competed internationally in the 2017/18 season.
Virolainen is the eldest daughter of three-time Olympic champion Anfisa Reztsova. She is European champion in the single mixed relay and double silver medalist in the World Cup.
Source : MatchTV
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