Val di Fiemme, Italy – Simona Bubeníčková, a 17-year-old Czech athlete, is rapidly becoming a star at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The young biathlete and cross-country skier has already secured two silver medals, competing at a high level in both disciplines. Her remarkable story is one of resilience, determination, and a refusal to let visual impairment define her limits.
Bubeníčková’s success is even more impressive considering she only took up biathlon last year, adding it to her repertoire due to a limited number of cross-country skiing events on the FIS calendar. She first picked up a rifle in April 2025 and has quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the sport, consistently earning medals in both biathlon and cross-country skiing.
A Rising Star Undeterred by Visual Impairment
Those who know Bubeníčková describe her as remarkably mature for her age. “When you talk to her, you wouldn’t know she’s just seventeen and visually impaired,” says her guide, David Šrůtek, who has worked with her since she first began skiing when she still had partial vision. “She was always incredibly bright, understanding things quickly that took other children much longer to grasp.”
Bubeníčková’s vision deteriorated due to atrophic optic nerve disease, and she lost her sight completely approximately two years ago. However, according to Šrůtek, this hasn’t changed her fundamental character. “She remains the same – highly focused and dedicated to both her sport and her studies. When she was fifteen, she was already confidently giving interviews in English, and I was incredibly proud of her.”
Bubeníčková herself doesn’t view her visual impairment as a handicap. “I have healthy arms and legs. the fact that I can’t see isn’t a handicap at all,” she stated in an interview on Sport.cz prior to the Games. This mindset is a testament to her strength and positive outlook.
Medal Success and Dual-Sport Excellence
At the Paralympics, Bubeníčková has already secured two silver medals, along with a fourth and fifth-place finish. Her ability to compete at a high level in both cross-country skiing and biathlon is drawing comparisons to Ester Ledecká, the Czech athlete known for her success in both snowboarding and alpine skiing. Bubeníčková, however, downplays the comparison, stating, “I definitely can’t compare myself to her; I don’t see myself as a star.”
Bubeníčková competes in the NS1 category for visually impaired athletes, which utilizes an 88% time adjustment factor. Despite this, she is determined to compete against her rivals on real time. “After Simča won medals in her first World Cup races, she was, of course, happy, but at the finish line she said she wanted to beat the others with her actual time,” explained Martina Chrástková, the cross-country skiing coach.
Training and Support System
Much of Bubeníčková’s success is attributed to dedicated training and a strong support system. She has been working closely with biathlon coach and guide Alexander Paťava to refine her shooting technique. “We’ve worked a lot on technique, especially the angle of the rifle when shooting. It’s incredible how consistently Simča shoots after just a few months of training,” Paťava said.
Bubeníčková’s training extends beyond the slopes. She is also a student at a gymnasium in Broumov, balancing her athletic pursuits with her academic commitments. Her classmates have shown their support, even traveling to Val di Fiemme to cheer her on. She is scheduled to take her final exams next year and is considering pursuing studies in chemistry, biology, or mathematics, while continuing to compete in sports.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Winter Paralympics, running from March 6th to 15th, feature a record-breaking 24 Czech athletes competing in para hockey, para biathlon, alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. Bubeníčková, along with the Czech para hockey team, are considered strong medal contenders.
Bubeníčková’s role models include Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo and Czech para-swimmer David Kratochvíl. Her dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit are inspiring fans both in the Czech Republic and around the world.
Bubeníčková will continue to compete in Val di Fiemme, with further races scheduled in the coming days. Fans can follow her progress and the results of the 2026 Winter Paralympics on the official Paralympics website and through Czech sports news outlets like Sport.cz.
