Val di Fiemme – Simona Bubeníčková of the Czech Republic secured a silver medal in the women’s biathlon event, adding to the nation’s growing medal count at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. The 17-year-old showcased impressive form throughout the race, finishing just behind the dominant Chinese athlete, Wang.
The 24-year-old from Perm, Russia, established a clear lead from the start, holding a 15-second advantage over Bubeníčková at the first checkpoint. Bubeníčková maintained a steady pace in second place, falling nearly a minute behind the leading Russian competitor by the midpoint of the race, but still holding a comfortable two-minute lead over the third-place German athlete, Walter.
While Bubeníčková continued to trail the Russian competitor, she confidently held onto second place until the finish line. She successfully navigated a challenging descent just before the finish, where she had fallen in Tuesday’s sprint and missed out on a spot in the final. This time, however, Bubeníčková completed the 10-kilometer race in second place, finishing over two minutes behind the winner. “I gave it absolutely everything. All respect to my opponent, but I simply couldn’t have done any better today; she was significantly stronger,” Bubeníčková said after the race.
Conditions in Val di Fiemme were extremely challenging. “The course was incredibly difficult and didn’t suit me at all, and I really struggled,” Bubeníčková explained immediately after finishing. “We were a little surprised that only the final descent was salted. It was very icy and really tough. Simča fought through it well,” added her guide, David Šrůtek.
2026 Winter Paralympics
The XIV Winter Paralympic Games are being held from March 6th to 15th, 2026. This year’s Czech team boasts a record 24 athletes competing for medals in para hockey, para biathlon, alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. The greatest medal hopes are pinned on the Czech para hockey team and skier and biathlete Simona Bubeníčková.
The Czech Paralympic team now has three silver medals. This is Bubeníčková’s second medal of the Games, having similarly secured silver in the biathlon individual event. The first medal for the Czech delegation was won by her teammate, Carina Edlingerová, in the biathlon sprint.
In the 10-kilometer standing men’s race, two Czech athletes also competed. Matěj Škoda, 20, who competes with a congenital deformity of his left arm, achieved a remarkable 13th place in a highly competitive field. “I’m very happy; this is the result I was aiming for,” Škoda said after the race. “The track was very deep and icy, making the climbs even harder, but I managed it.” His teammate, Miroslav Motejzík, did not finish the race.
