"In terms of competition, we are not inferior to the World Cup"

On January 16-18, the fourth stage of this season's Russian Biathlon Cup took place in the village of Demino in the Yaroslavl region. Victoria Slivko won the bronze medal in the women's mass start. She finished fourth in the sprint. And she finished 14th in the pursuit race, after making a mistake on the firing line when she was shooting at targets from the wrong position. As a result, all her hits were not counted, and the 2015 World junior champion automatically received five penalty rounds. In an interview with Izvestia, Slivko commented on her performance this season, assessed the competition in Russian biathlon, discussed the chances of our athletes being admitted to the next World Cup, which starts at the end of 2026, and spoke about the motivation to compete in conditions of suspension from international competitions.

— How would you rate your performance in the last part of this season?

— The season started very difficult for me. I was ill in Khanty-Mansiysk (at the end of November, the first stage of the Russian Cup was held there, and in early December, the winter stage of the Commonwealth Cup. — Ed.). Recently, she more or less competed in Izhevsk at the Russian Championship, where she won the individual race and became the second in the mass start. But still, the starts are still difficult.

The same sprint in Demino turned out to be very difficult for me. I lost "well" to Natalia (the winner of the sprint Natalia Shevchenko. — Ed.). I was almost a minute behind her, although she shot back with zero, and I missed with one. That is, it turns out that I lost 25 seconds to her in a move. And then the next day I made a mistake in the pursuit.

"What happened there?" Why did they start closing targets from someone else's installation?

"I don't know what happened to me. But it's a shame. If it hadn't been for the five penalty laps that had to be run because of this mistake, there would have been a good chance of third place. It's good that we managed to take him in the mass start on the last day of the stage. I really wanted to rehabilitate myself for my failure in the pursuit race.

— In December 2025, international federations began granting neutral status to Russians in winter sports, after which our skiers, luge skiers and several other winter athletes began competing at the World Cup. Is there any hope that this will soon affect biathletes?

— I won't say that I followed it directly, but, of course, I met the news and read it. But there is very little hope for biathletes. Especially now.

— Do you mean this season? Or the next one too?

— I think we will definitely not be allowed anywhere this season. It's possible in the next one. There is progress anyway — some of our athletes are slowly being allowed in. I am very happy for those who are already performing on the international stage. We worry about everyone, we follow everyone and watch their performances as much as possible. Let the boys and girls show the best results.

— Many biathletes believe that in your sport, the lifting of restrictions on Russians and Belarusians will be the last to happen due to problems with transporting rifles and cartridges to European countries, where most World Cup stages take place. Do you believe that everything is not so gloomy?

— This is actually a very difficult question. Of course, there is hope. But very small. I believe that we can come back a little earlier, but I am ready for the fact that we will have to wait until the last moment. Yes, our main problem is the rifle. Firearms always require multiple permits to be transported from one country to another. Apparently, this will be the majority of the issues in the situation with our participation in international competitions.

"Admission to the World Cup in 2026 is possible, but they won't start with the leaders"

Russian biathlete Alexander Povarnitsyn — about the chances of being broken up next season, possible difficulties after returning to the international stage and his performance at the Russian Cup

— For almost four years, have domestic competitions like the Russian Cup and the Commonwealth Cup at least partially solved the issue of our biathletes maintaining their level without international practice?

— Yes, definitely. Our level is very high. All the girls and boys are motivated. We are all fighting — no one is standing still. Everyone wants to grow. Therefore, the competition is high. I think in terms of competition, we are definitely not inferior to the World Cup and do not let each other relax.

— When you watch the World Cup, do you compare its participants with yourself and other Russian women? Do you have any idea how long it will take to start fighting for high places after returning there?

— I watch the World Cup, but I see a lot of young people there that I do not know — I did not compete with them. In principle, it is very pleasant to look at them — there is shooting at a very high level and speed.

The last thing I saw was the relay race at Ruhpolding. The results were very dense there. I noticed that five of the competitors were already going to the finish line at the relay races. That is, there are no such breaks as before. That is, the level is growing there, and the fight is intense. Nevertheless, I still think that we are not so weak. And we won't give up much there when we get back.

It will definitely be difficult at first, because performing on the international stage is a different psychology anyway. And the snow there is different — faster, because in Europe it is artificial everywhere, unlike natural snow on Russian highways. Plus, they constantly run in warm weather and are used to it, unlike us. So it's going to be difficult, but I think we can adapt quickly.

— Have you had difficulties with motivation to compete in domestic competitions in four years?

— I find motivation for myself personally. I'm fighting for high places, I'm constantly training. As much as I have planned to run in my head, I have so much motivation. I will definitely fight in every race and give myself completely.

— Is there a task to perform all the way until the ban is lifted, so that you can still perform in at least one international start of the level not lower than the World Cup stage?

— No, there is absolutely no such task. I have other plans that I will stick to, but it's still a secret (smiles).