It was the Norwegian legend, together with his life partner and former successful biathlete Darja Domračevová, who worked with the Chinese national team mainly with the aim of preparing the local athletes for the Olympics in Beijing. After her, the interest in this sport in the world’s most populous country apparently disappeared, and the association quickly said goodbye to the famous coaching duo.
Nevertheless, China sent its representative to the World Cup. On Wednesday, she stood at the start of the mixed relay race. As the only one of the 26 participating teams, he did not have a single start in the season. After all, this also applies to Chinese competitors at the individual level.
The Chinese were overtaken by a lap on the second stage and had to be withdrawn from the race.
“After the Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese federation reduced its investment in biathlon. He basically disappeared completely. In this season, they have miserable conditions. No summer or fall training. They have one coach and one person to lubricate the skis for the entire national team. This is not adequate preparation,” Björndalen described the current state of Chinese biathlon for TV2.
According to him, the Chinese competitors in Oberhof are in a rather uncomfortable situation. “It’s a disaster for them. I suffer with them and do not understand the steps of the union there at all. With the preparation that the Chinese competitors went through, they will have huge problems here at the World Championships,” Björndalen is clear.
Chinese biathletes can compete in the championship only on the basis that they competed in the World Cup and the Olympic Games last year.
