The Russian woman was 53 years old. © Social Media

Olympic biathlon champion dies at 53

Galina Kukleva, the 1998 Olympic biathlon champion, has died at the age of 53.

July 14, 2026

From: dpa

"The Russian Biathlon Union expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and students of Galina Alexeyevna," the federation said in a statement. According to Russian media, Kukleva had been suffering from cancer for a long time.

The athlete, born in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan, was one of the most successful Russian biathletes around the turn of the millennium. In addition to her Olympic gold in the 7,5-kilometer sprint at the 1998 Nagano Games, she won team gold at the World Championships in 2000, 2001, and 2003, as well as a silver medal in the mass start at the 2000 World Championships. She also achieved nine victories in World Cup races.

After ending her active career in 2003, she worked as a professor at the sports faculty of the State University in Tyumen, Siberia.