A Ukrainian in the middle of the Norwegian festivities

“What a crazy day..I'm so happy..Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!” wrote Pidrutschnji on social media on Saturday evening. Almost exactly a year ago, the now 31-year-old returned to his home country immediately after the Russian invasion and was deployed as a soldier for almost three months. Less than 14 days after his last Olympic start in Beijing, the 2019 pursuit world champion sat exhausted in a basement with a steel helmet on his head while his fellow competitors were still fighting for World Cup points. The picture he posted at the time really moved his biathlon colleagues. Countless athletes lost their lives in the war, including a 19-year-old young biathlete. After a knee operation in December, Pidrutschnji celebrated a great comeback with third place at the IBU Cup in Obertilliach at the beginning of February. “It is very important for me, my team and above all for my country. The last few weeks have been difficult for me, also because I lost a friend in the war. We are doing our best to ensure that our country continues to belong and is not forgotten,” he wrote afterwards. “The last few weeks have been difficult for me, also because I lost a friend in the war.” Dmytro Pidruhnji In the sprint, Pidrutschnji was the only one who was able to break into the phalanx of Norwegians around world champion Johannes Thingnes Bö, who also took second to fourth place and sixth place. “This is a special day. We have five Norwegians in the top six, plus one Ukrainian. If I could have chosen six athletes, that would be the perfect story to tell the world that we are in this together. He is part of our team and we support him too,” said World Cup runner-up Tarjei Bö.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

A Ukrainian in the middle of the Norwegian festivities

For the Ukrainian biathlete Dmytro Pidrutschnji, his fifth place in the World Championship sprint in Oberhof was more than just a top placement.

Suggestions

Comments (0)