Carina Edlingerová delivered a historic performance for the Czech Republic on Wednesday, March 13, 2026, winning gold in the women’s biathlon sprint at the Winter Paralympics in Tesero, Italy. It marked the first Czech gold medal in a Winter Paralympic event since 2002, ending a 24-year drought.
Edlingerová’s victory wasn’t the only Czech success in the race. Simona Bubeníčková initially finished third, but was later relegated to fourth place after a time adjustment for Germany’s Leonie Maria Walterová. However, following a protest from the Czech team, a jury decision reinstated Bubeníčková to third, awarding both her and Walterová bronze medals.
“Here’s just… please don’t do this to me again,” Bubeníčková said in a press release. “We were waiting for so long, I almost lost hope. I found out it went well on the way to the bathroom, when I heard everyone celebrating in our waxing cabin. But it’s great that it worked out and everyone is happy.”
The time adjustment for Walterová amounted to 51 seconds due to issues during shooting. The athletes only learned of the final results – and the shared bronze – an hour and a half after crossing the finish line, according to reports.
This medal marks Bubeníčková’s third Paralympic medal, adding to her two silver medals from biathlon and cross-country skiing. The result is a significant achievement for the Czech team as they head into the final weekend of competition.
“Yesterday we didn’t even know if we would be competing. This medal is truly unexpected,” said Czech team guide David Šrůtek. “Simča flew on the course, we were celebrating on the finish line, it was a really lovely euphoria, with the team joy with Carina and Alex (traser Alexander Paťava). Then came great disappointment, and now it’s a very strange mix of feelings. But I’m very glad we have the medal.”
Edlingerová’s gold medal adds to her previous triumph at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, where she won gold whereas competing for Austria. She finished the race 9.9 seconds ahead of China’s Wang Jüe.
“Now I guess I can call myself a biathlete. I’m thrilled that together with Alex we won the first gold for the Czech Republic after such a long time, I’m incredibly happy. It’s a sensational feeling,” Edlingerová told Czech Television.
Upon receiving Czech citizenship, Edlingerová promised the President of the Czech Paralympic Committee that she would learn the national anthem. “I’m excited that it worked out, I’m already a proud Czech, and I think I sang it decently. I just could have hit the note better,” she joked.
Trasér Alexandr Paťava felt confident throughout the race. “After the qualification, we knew it was really close. It’s true that after two missed shots, I started to worry a little. But Carina delivered a sensational performance in the running portion,” he said.
