Volodymyr welcomes 90 boys and girls on International Biathlon Day

International Biathlon Day took place in Volodymyr from 22 to 24 May 2026.

The event brought together participants in the following age categories:

• Group I – born in 2013 (boys and girls);

• Group II – born in 2012 (boys and girls);

• Group III – born in 2011 (boys and girls).

The competition itself lasted for two days.

22 May 2026

• Accreditation and registration of participants;

• Team captains’ meeting and official training session.

23 May 2026

• Official opening ceremony dedicated to International Biathlon Day;

• Sprint competitions:

  • Group I: 3 laps of 200 m;

  • Group II: 3 laps of 300 m;

  • Group III: 3 laps of 400 m;

• Award ceremony;

• Official training session.

24 May 2026

• Mixed relay competitions (2 girls + 2 boys per team):

  • Group I: 3 laps of 200 m for each relay leg;

  • Group II: 3 laps of 300 m for each relay leg;

  • Group III: 3 laps of 400 m for each relay leg.

This year, the event attracted 90 participants.

"Through this event, we aim to demonstrate that sports competitions can be enjoyable, educational, and beneficial for children of different ages. In particular, the event brings together children from regions affected by the ongoing situation in Ukraine, where many of them do not currently have the opportunity to train or compete regularly in their home communities. Through initiatives like this, we seek to show that sport unites people and that biathlon is a sport open to All, " - Lily Budzulyak, B4A Project Coordinator in Ukraine.

The event was also supported by the event ambassador, Olena Petrova, a distinguished Ukrainian biathlete, Honoured Master of Sports of Ukraine, silver medalist of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, and Head of the Sumy Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. For the second consecutive year, she has supported the tradition of celebrating International Biathlon Day.

The event was not limited to competitions alone. The Volyn Biathlon Federation, led by Roman Yandriichuk and acting as a co-organizer, arranged a thematic meeting with the event ambassador. During this session, she conducted a workshop and engaged participants in interesting discussions about sports, Olympism, and biathlon. The children had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics important to them. This format proved to be highly engaging and valuable, especially in terms of supporting the social development of young athletes at an early stage of their sporting journey.

The event concluded with an exceptionally large celebratory cake, which has become a wonderful tradition for the second consecutive year and added a unique festive atmosphere to the occasion.