Darya Dolidovich came to Poland from her home country of Belarus as a refugee with her family in 2022. A new life began for her there - in a new country, with a new language and a new sport.

32nd place in the sprint of the IBU Junior Cup in Jakuszyce. This is the best result of Darya Dolidovich's career. For the 20-year-old, this is a reason to celebrate, as she has only been a biathlete for two years. In her childhood and youth, she was a cross-country skier and trained under her father Sergei Dolidovich, who has a successful cross-country skiing career with several Olympic Games to his name. But three years ago, the family's life changed. They had to flee Belarus and have been living in Poland ever since.

A new start with biathlon

For Darya Dolidovich, the new environment was the initial spark to change sports. "I had wanted to start biathlon for a long time because the sport fascinates me so much. I couldn't find a coach in Belarus, so I took up this idea again in Poland," explains the 20-year-old. The well-known Polish cross-country skier Justyna Kowalczyk helped Darya contact the Polish biathlon team. And so, Darya Dolidovich fought her way back into a competitive sport.

"The first time was very hard for me. I was in a new environment, had to learn the language and shooting with the biathlon rifle was also completely new to me. It was a stressful time." In addition, there were repeated longer training breaks due to the uncertain situation as a refugee. Darya Dolidovich received help from the Polish Biathlon Association. She can attend training camps with the Polish team and travels with the team during the competition season. "I have been wonderfully welcomed. I get on very well with my teammates and the coaches. They help me in every situation and the association is always there for me."

Biathlon Refugee Team

During the summer, Darya Dolidovich continues to train with her father. However, as she does not have a training group in her new hometown, it is sometimes difficult for her to motivate herself. "The many hours of training that I do on my own are hard. But that's the way I have to go in biathlon to be successful." She wants to compete in the IBU Cup next season and compete in the Olympic Games at some point. As she is not competing as an athlete for Belarus or Poland but has been granted the status of Biathlon Refugee Team by the International Biathlon Union, she does not have to complete an internal qualification. "I am very grateful for the life I can lead now. I feel at home in Poland, and I am glad that I and my family are doing well. I am grateful for the support by the International Olympic Committee and the Polish Olympic Committee to help me to live my dream."

Photos: IBU I Deubert, Koksarov