Volodymyr Sports Festival introduces families to biathlon

On 19 July 2026, the Sports Festival in the city of Volodymyr, Ukraine, brought together children, families and adults for a day of active participation and friendly competition, with biathlon taking centre stage.

The event featured a timed biathlon challenge in which participants completed a 20-metre run, fired five shots at the target and then raced to the finish. Competitors who missed the target completed a penalty lap before crossing the finish line, giving everyone a taste of the excitement and precision required in biathlon.

Two KIWI laser rifles were used throughout the day. One rifle was dedicated to training and familiarisation, allowing newcomers to practise their shooting skills, while the second rifle was used for the official timed races.

The festival welcomed a broad range of participants, including 20 boys, 10 girls and more than 20 adults, among them four people with disabilities. Alongside the competitions, families and visitors had the opportunity to try laser shooting, learn about biathlon and experience the sport in an inclusive and welcoming environment. For many children, handling a biathlon rifle for the first time was one of the highlights of the day.

The event was organised with the support of the Volyn Regional Biathlon Federation and its President, Roman Andrichuk, who led the activities throughout the festival. Additional support was provided by coach Serhii Seniuk, who conducted the training sessions and helped ensure the smooth delivery of the event.

By introducing participants of all ages to the fundamentals of biathlon, the Sports Festival in Volodymyr successfully promoted physical activity, encouraged family participation and inspired greater interest in the sport within the local community.