Czech Para Biathlon Breakthrough: Miroslav Motejzik's Historic Debut
The biathlon family has grown once again. For the first time in history, a Czech representative appeared in the para biathlon competitions in Val di Fieme and Pokljuka. 49-year-old Miroslav Motejzik proves that although beginnings can be difficult, it is never too late to join the biathlon community as an active athlete.
Despite being a powerhouse in biathlon, the Czech Republic had never seen a para biathlete—until the end of January 2025, when Miroslav Motejzik took his place at the starting line of the Paralympic test event in Val di Fiemme. A passionate football player in his youth, Motejzik’s drive to stay active never waned, even after a car accident 15 years ago led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee.
He turned to triathlon and high-altitude hiking, conquering legendary peaks like Mont Blanc and the Himalayan Mera Peak (6,461 m). He became an Ironman and the 2021 XTERRA Maui World Champion in off-road triathlon. In 2023, Motejzik completed the Nordic skiing Grand Slam, conquering Marcialonga, Jizerská 50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The following year, he made history as the first disabled athlete to complete the 220 km Nordenskiöldsloppet on skis (double poling), earning a spot in the Guinness World Records. His next challenge was competing in biathlon.
“I enjoy watching biathlon; at home, I ride a stationary bike while following it. When I got the chance to try it, I didn’t hesitate. I only prepared for the race for a few days, with about three hours of shooting practice. My hardest part is putting everything together so it all fits like a puzzle. But I believe that with enough training, it will come”, said Motejzik who is a pioneer of para biathlon in Czechia. “I'm used to that role. I've already tried it in triathlon and Nordic skiing marathons. I live a life without limits, and exploring new things is part of it. So far, I’ve only felt support from both the Czech national federation and the IBU. The only obstacle was the lack of time.”
Miroslav Motejzik Para Biathlon's Debut
The Czech debutant had a challenging start. On the first day, while lying on the shooting stand, he damaged his prosthesis, which prevented him from continuing the race. On the second day, just before the start, he experienced a dangerous-looking fall, resulting in abrasions on his face. He began the competition covered in plasters. Despite the setbacks, he reached the finish line, finishing over twelve minutes behind the winner and almost eight minutes behind the second-to-last competitor. However, the most important achievement was that he completed the race. Regarding his sports goals, Motejzik remains grounded and sets realistic expectations, acknowledging that podiums or medals will not be within his reach.
“At my age, I’m not thinking about medals anymore. I would like to improve and get closer to the other competitors. My main goal is to motivate younger athletes, showing that overcoming barriers can take many forms and is very important in life,” said Motejzik.
Photos: Vanzetta/IBU
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