Bátovská Fialková fulfilled what she promised her sister and was one of the best in running. Winner Vittozzi couldn't walk last year due to pain
Slovak biathletes performed with solid but not outstanding results at the Olympic relay in Milan, highlighted by Lisa Vittozzi's victory after her recovery from a severe injury.
At the Olympic relay competitions, all four Slovak biathletes participated, with Paulína Bátovská Fialková and Mária Remeňová achieving their best performances in these games held in Milan and Cortina. However, they only managed to finish in 25th and 38th places respectively, due to starting with significant time disadvantages. Bátovská Fialková started in 40th place with a deficit of 2:09 minutes, while Remeňová began 51st, trailing by 2:21 minutes. This gap hindered their chances of better results in the competition.
In contrast, the remaining Slovak duo had a less successful outing. Anastasija Kuzmina notably faced challenges at the shooting range, committing five errors which resulted in a 49th place finish, while Emma Kapustová also struggled, making four mistakes and finishing in 52nd place. The performances highlighted a contrast between the Slovak athletes and their competitors, who faced varying degrees of success throughout the event.
The race was marked by the remarkable victory of the local favorite, Lisa Vittozzi, who accurately hit all twenty targets and celebrated her victory with local fans at the finish line. Vittozzi's triumph is particularly noteworthy considering her recent return to competition following a one-year break due to a severe back injury that raised the possibility of her career ending. Her determination to race in the home Olympics was a significant motivating factor in her return to form, showcasing both her resilience and the competitive spirit of the event.