Latvian biathlete Baiba Bendika acknowledged that excessive anxiety hindered her performance during the first shooting round at the Olympics, where she made three mistakes. Competing in the 12.5 kilometers mass start event in Milan, she finished in 22nd place, while her teammate Estere Volfa ranked 23rd. Bendika described the chaotic nature of the initial lap, noting that her starting position contributed to the difficulties in maintaining composure during the race.

Bendika pointed out that the pressure of the moment affected her technical execution, resulting in three errors that pushed her back to 30th place in the race. She expressed disappointment at not being able to compete for higher positions due to her initial mistakes. Despite the setback, she focused on recovering as much ground as possible and concentrating on her future efforts in the competition.

The challenges faced by Bendika during the Olympics highlight the mental aspect of competitive sports, where pressure and emotion can significantly impact performance. Her reflections shed light on the experience of athletes at such high-stakes events, where distractions and unforeseen circumstances like weather can add to the complexity of competition. As she looks to improve in future races, her experience serves as a reminder of the thin line between high-level athletic performance and the anxiety that can accompany it.