First Winners of the World Biathlon Cup

93 sportsmen from 33 countries opened on Saturday the first day of the World Biathlon Championship in Khanty-Mansiysk (Urals).

Ole Einar Bjoerndalen from Norway, several times Olympic champion, world champion of 1998 in the team race, winner and prize winner of World Cup tournaments took the first place.

Ricco Gross from Germany, many times Olympic champion, participant in the Olympic games of 1992-2002, participant in the World Cup of 1991-2000, winner of World Cup tournaments was second.

Zdenek Vitek from the Czech Republic, participant in the Olympic games of 1998 and 2002, participant in the World Cup, winner of World Cup tournaments took the bronze medal.

20000 tickets were sold to the tournament held at the Khanty-Mansiysk ski stadium. According to Natalia Zapadnova, deputy chairman of the government of the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous area, this was a huge figure.

In connection with concerns expressed by Vadim Melikhov, patron of the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, in relation to possible negative behaviour of fans and its consequences, tournament organisers did their utmost to ensure security. The route and the tournament area are fenced off according to regulations. The stadium territory is controlled by security services.