Vol. 11, No 3: 5–11.

Academic Sporticus. Physical Education and Sports

2026

Scientific article

UDK 796.922.093.642

pdf-version

Polina M. Kosareva
bachelor’s degree, Petrozavodsk State University
(Petrozavodsk, Russia),
kosarevapol@yandex.ru
Semyon A. Prokhorov
bachelor’s degree, Petrozavodsk State University
(Petrozavodsk, Russia),
prokhorovsem@gmail.com

The Olympic Performance of Soviet Biathletes, 1960–1980

Scientific adviser:
Elena A. Kalinina
Reviewer:
Anton A. Malyshko
Paper submitted on: 05/21/2026;
Accepted on: 09/28/2026;
Published online on: 09/28/2026.
Abstract. Drawing on an analysis of publications in the Sovetsky Sport (Soviet Sport) newspaper, the article examines the competitive performances of the USSR national biathlon team across six Winter Olympic Games (1960–1980). The author systematically details the results of the 20 km individual race, the 4×7.5 km relay (introduced in 1968), and the 10 km sprint (introduced in 1980). Furthermore, the study identifies the tactical approaches employed during races, analyzes the factors contributing to relay success, and examines the causes of performance inconsistency in individual events. Overall, Soviet biathletes earned 15 Olympic medals (9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze) across the six Winter Games under review.
Keywords: physical culture, sports, biathlon, sports achievements, Olympic Games, Soviet Union, relay race, individual race

For citation: Kosareva, P. M., Prokhorov, S. A. The Olympic Performance of Soviet Biathletes, 1960–1980. StudArctic forum. 2026, 11 (3): 5–11.

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