Latvian biathlete Renārs Birkentāls shared his satisfaction with his first Olympic performance, in which he finished in 31st place in the 20km individual race. He noted that he made a couple of mistakes during the first two shooting rounds but regarded his overall performance positively, considering it a good result given the circumstances. Despite feeling that he could not maintain his desired pace on the track, he remains content with his debut at such a significant event.

Alongside Birkentāls, fellow Latvian athlete Andrejs Rastorgujevs also competed in the 20km individual competition but faced more challenges, finishing in 41st place after committing three shooting errors. Rastorgujevs noted that he needs to discuss his performance with his coach to analyze what went right and wrong, indicating a desire to improve in future competitions.

This competition marks an important moment for Latvian biathlon, as Birkentāls achieved the best result among Latvian athletes in the event. Their performances shed light on the challenges faced by biathletes in the Olympic arena and highlight the importance of preparation and support from coaching staff, particularly as they look toward future competitions and potential enhancements in their strategies.