Ukraine raced to victory in the women’s team biathlon relay at the Sochi Olympics on Friday, overcoming the trauma of the violence at home to take gold with an inspirational performance.
The president of Ukraine’s Olympic Committee, the former pole vault great Sergey Bubka, hailed the performance as a triumph that could help unite the country at a hard time and dedicated the victory to the Ukrainian people.
The country has been beset by political upheaval during the past week, with dozens killed in clashes in Kiev.
The team led from the start in the 4x6km relay race, finishing in 1 hour, 10 minutes, 2.5 seconds, defeating runners-up Russia by 26.4 seconds.
Ukraine’s anchor, Olena Pidhrushna, was embraced by tearful teammates as she crossed the line.
“The girls did everything so that the blue and yellow [Ukraine flag] would fly in Sochi and the national anthem of Ukraine would resound, We are proud of them,” said Bubka, who wore a ribbon reading: “For Peace! For Ukraine!”
“We dedicate this victory to all the Ukrainian people. I believe that in this hard time for the country this medal can unite us and make peace, calm and prosperity reign in Ukraine.”
Vita Semerenko, a bronze-medal winner earlier in the Games, started the race with fiery determination, and her lead was bolstered by the little-known Juliya Dzhyma on the second leg.
Valj Semerenko, twin sister of Vita, had a shaky final standing shooting, missing three targets, but Pidhrushna held her nerve to keep Russia’s Olga Vilukhina from taking the gold for the hosts.
Bubka earlier had rejected suggestions the Ukraine team should leave the Olympics because of the violence at home.
The athletes had not worn black armbands to remember the dead, in line with IOC stipulations that sports events cannot be used for any kind of demonstrations.
sports@thenational.ae
