As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina draw nearer, a seasoned biathlete is undergoing intensive training and rehabilitation in Anterselva, Italy, following recent spinal surgery. The athlete is cautiously optimistic ahead of Sunday’s mixed relay,acknowledging a challenging recovery process but emphasizing a positive acclimation to the Olympic venue’s altitude and conditions. This story follows her determined journey to regain peak performance and contribute to a Czech team with a strong history at the Anterselva course.
Anterselva, Italy – A former world champion is spending over ten days in the Olympic venue, focusing on training, rehabilitation, and closely monitoring her condition. “That’s just how it’s been working,” she said following her final training session on Saturday before the upcoming competition.
“I don’t feel quite the same as before, which is understandable. But I’m doing everything I can to feel good. Rest and exercise are helping, but now it’s mostly about trusting my body again,” explained the 28-year-old biathlete, who underwent spinal surgery after a challenging winter season marked by health issues.
Her recovery has been a gradual process. “Is it improving day by day? Honestly, not really,” she admitted with a wry smile. “But the fast-paced training didn’t feel as bad as I expected, which is a positive sign.”
2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics
The athlete has acclimated quickly to the altitude of the resort, which sits at 1,600 meters above sea level. “The air is a little thinner, so I notice that a bit. But the weather is good, and the tracks are in good condition,” she commented on the conditions at the Olympic venue.
The wind conditions have also been favorable for biathletes so far. “Hopefully, there won’t be strong gusts during the races,” she said with a laugh. The weather forecast is promising, with sunny skies, temperatures around freezing, and light winds expected in the coming days.
She is scheduled to compete in the mixed relay on Sunday afternoon, a format she previously participated in earlier this season in Östersund. “Anything can still change during the day. I won’t believe I’ll be racing until I wake up feeling normal,” she cautiously stated.
The Anterselva venue holds fond memories for the team, as the Czech team won a bronze medal at the World Championships there six years ago. While Ondřej Moravec has transitioned to a coaching role and Eva Puskarčíková now manages a family hotel in Livigno, she will be racing alongside Michal Krčmář.
“I was walking with the guys to training and remembering how Eva and I ran to the finish line behind Bimb, and it was great,” she recalled. She hopes to create more positive memories on Sunday, even though the second half of the race will be completed by the women, with Davidová expected to finish.
Davidová previously tested this role in Östersund, finishing fifth in the mixed relay and third in the women’s relay. “I had never finished a race before, and I was a little nervous at first, but then I actually enjoyed it,” she admitted.
Anterselva, Italy – A world-class biathlete is carefully navigating her return to competition following spinal surgery, currently training and rehabilitating at the site of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The athlete’s focus is on regaining confidence in her body as she prepares for the mixed relay on Sunday, February 8th.
The athlete acknowledges she isn’t feeling quite as strong as she did before the surgery, a common experience after such a procedure. “I don’t feel quite the same as before, which is understandable. But I’m doing everything I can to feel good,” she stated. She emphasizes the importance of both physical training and mental preparation, noting that trusting her body again is a key component of her recovery.
While acknowledging her recovery isn’t progressing as rapidly as she’d hoped, she remains optimistic about her performance. “Is it improving day by day? Honestly, not really,” she said, “But the fast-paced training didn’t feel as bad as I expected, which is a positive sign.”
The athlete has successfully acclimated to the higher altitude of Anterselva, located at 1,600 meters above sea level. She reports favorable weather conditions and good track conditions, adding that the wind has been relatively calm. These conditions are crucial for biathlon, a sport requiring both physical endurance and precise shooting.
The mixed relay on Sunday will bring back positive memories, as the Czech team previously secured a bronze medal at the World Championships in Anterselva six years ago. While some teammates have moved into different roles, the athlete is looking forward to building on that success.
She also expressed confidence in her ability to finish the relay, a role she successfully fulfilled in Östersund earlier this season. “I had never finished a race before, and I was a little nervous at first, but then I actually enjoyed it,” she admitted. This experience has prepared her for the challenges ahead and underscores her commitment to the team’s success.
This article provides updates on an athlete’s recovery and preparation for competition. Monitoring athletes’ health and recovery is essential for optimizing performance and preventing further injury.
