Experts assessed Bashkiria athletes prospects at 2022 Olympics in Beijing

Bashkortostan is recognized as the leader of the Volga Federal District in the number of athletes representing the region at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. 13 Olympians will defend the honor of the republic: seven hockey players of the Agidel club (Polina Luchnikova, Anna Shibanova, Olga Sosina, Maria Sorokina, Maria Pechnikova, Ilona Markova, Veronika Korzhakova), one player of the HC Salavat Yulaev (Alexander Kadeikin), biathlete ( Eduard Latypov + spare Anton Babikov), short tracker Semen Elistratov, bobsledders Rostislav Gaytyukevich and Yulia Belomestnykh, skeleton racer Alexander Tretyakov. Nizhny Novgorod Region is in second place (12 athletes), the Perm Territory is third (9). Samara, Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kirov regions, Mari El and Chuvashia, did not present their athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games at all.

It should be noted that, as at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Volga Federal District athletes made up 20 percent of the total number of the country's Olympic team.

"We saw both biathlon and speed skating competitions. Bashkir athletes are in good physical shape, all performed at a decent level. I wish them to pass acclimatization quickly and easily," Maxim Chudov said during a conversation with a correspondent of the Bashinform News Agency.

In any case, Bashkortostan is counting on Olympic medals because at least four republic's representatives are leaders in the short track, biathlon, bobsleigh, and skeleton teams.

"For the first time since 1992, the region is represented by such a large number of athletes. We have 13 athletes plus one. Of course, we are counting on Babikov, but he is in reserve," Ruslan Khabibov, Minister of Sports of the Republic, said.

Recall that the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Beijing will start on February 4. The first sets of medals will be competed for on February 5.

Author: Natalia Ovcharuk