Feb 8 β€’ 10:55 UTC πŸ‡±πŸ‡» Latvia LSM

Latvian biathlon team finishes 12th in Olympic mixed relay debut

The Latvian biathlon team finished 12th in their Olympic debut of the mixed relay event.

In a landmark moment for Latvian sports, the biathlon team achieved a notable finish of 12th place in their first Olympic mixed relay event. The competition was dominated by the French team, who took home the gold medal, while the host nation's team clinched silver and Germany secured bronze. Latvian coach Valdis Bērziņő expressed a festive atmosphere among his team leading up to the event and showed confidence in his squad's preparations.

During the race, Latvian athlete Andrejs Rastorgujevs started strong, showcasing an impressive skiing pace that initially placed the team in high contention. Rastorgujevs' performance at the shooting range was commendable, as he hit all targets in the prone position with a shooting time of 22.7 seconds, marking the fifth-best speed. However, during the standing shooting phase, he faced challenges but managed to recover with a spare round, illustrating the team's resilience.

As the relay progressed, the Latvian team saw fluctuations in their rankings, with Rastorgujevs contributing significantly during his leg of the race. By the end of the first leg, fellow athlete Birkentāls received the baton in seventh place, indicating the team's potential competitiveness. Although the final position of 12th may seem modest, the participation itself is a significant accomplishment for Latvia, reflecting growth in their winter sports capabilities on an international stage.

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