Photo: olympic.md
Pavel Magazeev and Maxim Makarov are entered in the 20km individual race, which will take place in the afternoon at the Arena Alto Adige Biathlon Complex in Antholz-Anterselva, 265km northeast of Milan.
According to the start protocol, the 37-year-old Magazeev will start the race as number 43, while 30-year-old Maxim Makarov has been given the 81st starting position. A total of 89 athletes will take part in the race.
The women’s 15km individual race will be held a day later, with 30-year-old Alina Stremous taking part. The biathlete has been representing Moldova at international competitions since 2020 and has the best chances to place high. At the 2022 Games in Beijing (China), the athlete finished 10th in the sprint, 16th in the pursuit, 30th in the mass start and 37th in the individual race.
The biathletes will be followed by the skiers. Elizaveta Hlusovich will take part in the 10 km freestyle ski race with a separate start. The competition will be held on February 12 at the ski stadium in the valley Val di Fiemme, 300 km northeast of Milan.
The men’s 10km freestyle cross-country ski race will be held on February 13. It will feature 21-year-old Julian Lukin, who, like 19-year-old Hlusovic, will be making his Olympic debut.
On the same day, the biathletes will hold a 10km sprint race. Should Magazeev and/or Makarov finish in the top 60, they will take part in the 12.5km pursuit race on February 15. At previous Games, Magazeev finished 79th and Makarov 93rd.
The women’s 7.5km sprint race will be held on February 14. If Alina Stremous repeats her success of four years ago, she will take part in the 10km pursuit race, which will be held on the same day as the men’s sprint.
The Moldovan national biathlon team does not have the necessary number of athletes to participate in the relay races. Alina Stremous and Maxim Makarov participate in single mixed relays within the World Cup, but this discipline is not included in the program of the Winter Olympics.
