Biathlon world champion goes to war in Ukraine: two weeks ago he was still at the Olympics

Created: 02/28/2022, 12:48 p.m

By: Alexander Kaindl

Dmytro Pidrutschnji - here at the men's Olympic sprint.

© Ukrinform / Imago

The Ukraine war is raging, the fighting continues.

Right in the middle is a biathlon world champion who started at the Olympics two weeks ago.

Kyiv - War is raging in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his military operation on the night of February 24 and attacked Ukraine.

Since then, countless rockets have been launched, cities lie in ruins, and hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing.

The world is in a state of shock - and has now announced a number of sanctions.

How is the Ukraine war going?

Only Putin himself knows that. Currently - as of February 28 - the advance of Russian troops is probably proceeding somewhat more slowly than at the beginning.

Ukrainian citizens have now been called to arms, and men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country.

The people are bravely defending themselves against the invasion - among them is a man who took part in the Olympic Games in Beijing less than two weeks ago.

The former biathlon world champion Dmytro Pidruchnji takes up a weapon as usual - but now in a completely different context!

Ukraine War: Biathlon World Champion Dmytro Pidrichnyi fights against Russia

Pidruchnyi was drafted, goes to war, fights for his life and that of his compatriots.

Two weeks ago, his everyday life looked very different.

Pidrutschnji started at the Olympics and was one of the Ukrainian hopefuls.

Mixed relay, individual, sprint, pursuit, men's relay, mass start - 13th place three times, 18th place once, ninth place once and 24th place once.

Of course, Pidrutschnji is not thinking about sport at the moment.

"Nobody will compete any more," he wrote on Instagram in the past few days, explaining: "My team and I remain in Ukraine to protect our homes and families from Russian forces that attacked Ukraine on February 24 attacked."

• Dmytro Pidrichnyi

• Born: November 5, 1991 (age 30 years) in Ternopil - present-day Ukraine

• Biathlon World Champion Pursuit (2019)

• European Biathlon Champion Mixed Relay (2018, 2020)

The Ukraine biathlon team had already announced on Friday that they would no longer compete in the remaining three World Cups after Russia's military attack this winter.

Pidruchnji is the strongest man this season as 34th in the overall World Cup.

Three years ago he had won the world title in the pursuit.

Dmytro Pidruchnji: First biathlon at the Olympics, now war against Russia

Over the weekend he also asked the international biathlon community for help in his native Ukraine.

"Don't tell me sport and politics have nothing to do with each other.

They are related when soldiers and civilians are dying in my home country as you read this," the 30-year-old wrote to his fans, while also asking for donations to the Ukrainian army: "I ask you to help us!

Please don't stay away!"

At the same time, Pidruzhnyi also called on international friends and fans to take to the streets in their hometowns and to ask governments and NATO for help.

In addition, due to targeted disinformation, it is important to verify any information about the "Russian invasion" with multiple sources, he wrote.

Biathlon world champion on the Ukraine war: "We will win"

Dmytro Pidruchnyi reported via Instagram.

© Screenshot Instagram / Dmytro Pidruchnyi

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At the beginning of the new week, Pidruchnyi reported again via Instagram, writing in his story: "I would like to thank all the athletes and people around the world for their support.

Every action counts!

Together we are stronger and we will win."