The head coach said he is ready to resign if there are no positive results
Head coach Ukrainian men’s biathlon team Juraj Sanitra summed up the team’s performance at the starting stages World Cup 2023/24.
“I think everyone saw that at the beginning of the season both we and the fans had slightly different expectations. We conducted an analysis with the athletes and talked. Now in Syanki we will do everything to have a different team in the new year. The kind I know from training.”
“The positive of this trimester is the return of Dmitry Podruchny, who showed top results in all races regarding speed on the track. If he maintains this form, then he is a top 20 athlete among men, that means something. On a positive note, I can also highlight Artem Tishchenko’s performance in the single mixed relay in Östersund, where he also showed very good pace and shooting. And fifth place in the relay in Hochfilzen was the biggest positive.”
“But there is a lot of negativity that needs to be dealt with. It is not clear why after the last training camp in Kontiolahti the guys sagged physically, and therefore psychologically. We need to do physical work that will take us back to where we need to be. It is clear that in January we will look at the peaks of the season – the European Championships and the World Championships. We will change the lineup a little during January so that some athletes can prove themselves, and some have time to prepare well for the European and World Championships.”
“I’ll tell you my opinion: if you look and analyze the preparation by the volume of training, I wouldn’t change anything. During the summer training, one training camp that we held in Italy could be changed. But I am confident in our work – this needs to be confirmed at the next starts.”
“If it doesn’t work out, I don’t see any other solution – I can free up my place and give it to someone who can do a better job. Because I completely trust athletes, I trust people. I think that the level of our training is not as low as the results showed. We need to get together, there must be mutual understanding among athletes, coaches and everyone working. As I said, the problems are not only physical, but also psychological.”
Earlier, Sanitra announced changes to the team for the fourth stage of the World Cup in Oberhof. Vitaly Mandzyn will receive his debut call this season. The 20-year-old biathlete will replace Taras Lesyuk, who will compete in the IBU Cup in January. Dmitry Pidruchny, Artem Prima and Anton Dudchenko remain in the application; the coaching staff will decide on the fifth participant later.
The fourth stage of the World Cup will be held in Oberhof, Germany, from January 4 to 7, 2024. It will feature two individual races – sprints and pursuits, as well as a classic relay.
Source: Sportarena
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