Czech Republic Celebrates Paralympic Gold and Bronze in Biathlon Stunner
TESERO, Italy – Carina Edlingerová delivered a historic moment for the Czech Republic on Wednesday, securing the nation’s first gold medal in biathlon at the Winter Paralympics since 2002. The victory in the women’s standing sprint was followed by a dramatic and ultimately triumphant moment for Simona Bubeníčková, who initially saw a bronze medal slip away only to have it restored after a Czech team protest. The pair’s success at the Games in Italy marks a significant turning point for Czech Paralympic sport.
Edlingerová’s Golden Run
Edlingerová, originally from Austria but now competing for the Czech Republic, finished the stihacím sprint with a time 9.9 seconds faster than China’s Wang Yue. This victory builds on her silver medal in the sprint event earlier in the week, ending a 16-year medal drought for the Czech team dating back to the 2010 Vancouver Games. Before switching allegiances, Edlingerová had previously found success in cross-country skiing, even winning Paralympic gold in Beijing 2022 representing Austria. However, she was unable to compete in cross-country skiing at these Games after her change of representation.
“I’m not a biathlete, but we agreed with Alex that if I win today, I can officially call myself a biathlete,” Edlingerová told Czech Television, referencing her guide and national team coach, Alexander Paťava. The sentiment underscores a rapid transition to a new discipline, yet one she’s embraced with remarkable success.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions for Bubeníčková
The day wasn’t without its drama for the Czech team. Bubeníčková, a visually impaired athlete, initially finished third, but was then relegated to fourth place after a time adjustment was applied to Germany’s Leonie Maria Walterová. The adjustment, a 51-second penalty for Walterová due to shooting issues, initially stripped Bubeníčková of her bronze. However, a swift protest lodged by the Czech delegation led to a review by the jury, ultimately restoring Bubeníčková to the podium and resulting in a shared bronze medal.
“This, please don’t do to me again… We were waiting for so long, I almost lost hope. I found out it went well on the way to the bathroom, when I heard everyone in our waxing cabin suddenly start cheering. But it’s great that it turned out like this and everyone is happy,” said the 17-year-old Bubeníčková in a press release. Her reaction encapsulates the emotional rollercoaster experienced by the team.
Protest and Resolution
The decision to award two bronze medals came after a lengthy deliberation, with athletes awaiting the outcome for an hour and a half after crossing the finish line. David Šrůtek, Bubeníčková’s guide, described the experience as a “mix of feelings.”
“Yesterday we didn’t even know if we would be competing. This medal is really unexpected. Simča flew on the track, we celebrated on the finish line, it was a wonderfully euphoric moment, with the team joy with Carina, and Alex. Then came great disappointment, and now it’s a very strange mix of feelings. But I’m very glad we have the medal,” Šrůtek explained.
A Historic Achievement
Edlingerová’s gold medal is the first for the Czech Republic in a Winter Paralympic Games since Kateřina Teplá won two gold medals in alpine skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. The Czech team’s overall medal count now stands at 1 gold, 3 bronze, and 1 silver as they head into the final weekend of competition.
Paťava, Edlingerová’s guide, expressed confidence leading up to the race. “After the qualification, we knew it was really close. It’s true that after two missed shots, I started to worry a little. But Carina delivered a sensational performance on the skis.”
Edlingerová’s commitment to her new country was also highlighted, recalling a promise made to the President of the Czech Paralympic Committee upon receiving Czech citizenship. “I’m thrilled that it worked out, I’m already a proud Czech and I think I sang the anthem decently. I could have hit the note better,” she joked.
What’s Next for the Czech Team?
The Czech Paralympic team will continue to compete in the remaining events of the Games, building on the momentum generated by Edlingerová and Bubeníčková’s success. The team will be looking to add to their medal tally as the Games draw to a close. Official updates and schedules can be found on the official Paralympic website.
