Tragic accident: biathlon star dies in helicopter crash
Created: 07/19/2022Updated: 07/19/2022 13:34
By: Marius Epp
Russian biathlete Igor Malinovsky has died in a helicopter crash.
The sport mourns the junior world champion.
Kamchatka - A helicopter crashed on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, killing three people.
Among them is the biathlete Igor Malinovsky.
Authorities said the burned-out wreck was found near Mount Uson on Sunday.
The biathlon junior world champion Igor Malinowski transported two passengers as a pilot.
Malinovsky's hometown on Kamchatka confirmed the death of the athlete.
Igor Malinowski was considered a promising biathlon talent.
© Instagram/malinowskii_igor
Biathlon: Igor Malinovsky is dead - helicopter crashes in Kamchatka
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) was dismayed at the 25-year-old's death.
"The biathlete community will remember Malinowski as a great athlete," said IBU President Olle Dahlin , according to
Tass
agency .
The helicopter was reported missing on Saturday, and rescue workers initially suspected that the pilot might have taken a break because of the bad weather.
Before his death, Malinowski posted some photos of his helicopter flights on Instagram.
Helicopter tours are one of the top tourist attractions on the underdeveloped Pacific Peninsula.
Kamchatka is a dream destination for many nature lovers because of its volcanoes, geysers and thermal springs.
Time and again, fatal accidents, including those involving helicopters, occur there, not least because of sudden changes in the weather.
Biathlon youth world champion dies - "Entire biathlon family in mourning"
Malinovsky was a youth world and European champion in biathlon and one of Russia's greatest hopes.
Due to numerous injuries he could not confirm this success in the World Cup.
In 2021 he therefore decided to end his career and become a pilot.
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The Russian Biathlon Federation also took part: “The entire biathlon family is in mourning.
The Russian Biathlon Union offers its deepest condolences to Igor's family.”
A lot will change in biathlon in the coming season.
The system has been adjusted.
(epp/dpa)
