Ukrainian biathlete Valentina Semerenko commented on her decision to prematurely withdraw from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to health problems.
— I have done and am doing everything possible and impossible to enjoy the work I love. But my body failed, which forced me to leave the Olympics. I thought for a long time and give young people a chance to prove themselves at the start. Everyone so wanted it!
Happy are those who have devoted themselves to sports and carry the proud title of an athlete throughout their lives. Sport is the basis of life, as they say: Movement is life! Thank you all for your support, be healthy, — quotes Semerenko Biathlon Federation of Ukraine in Facebook.
On February 7, Valentina Semerenko failed to complete the 15 km individual race at the 2022 Winter Olympics. It was because of health problems that she decided to return ahead of schedule to Ukraine. Her place in the national team will be taken by Anastasia Merkushina, who arrived at the 2022 Games after positive doping tests for biathletes Elena Belosyuk and Daria Blashko.
The coach of the women's team, Urosh Velepets, said that Semerenko did not have enough air during the race, and she could not run further due to spasm.
