Russian Olympic Committee Head Calls For Changes To 'Very Dangerous' Biathlon Track

The biathlon track for Sochi '12 has "very dangerous" features that could cause injury and must be modified, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee Sergei Zhukov said Sunday, according to IANS. The track is hosting its first major test event with a World Cup round "that has so far seen many falls on the steep slopes." Zhukov said, "The biathlon track will have to be corrected. You've probably seen that there is a place where there is a dangerous turn and some athletes can't cope with it, they fly off." He added: "It needs to be fixed in order not to take the risk of injuries but it can be done quite easily. The track won't be simplified but it will be made safe." Russian four-time World Championship Medalist Anton Shipulin suggested that "he would struggle at the Olympics on the 'very uncomfortable' track despite the Russian team having much more practice time than their rivals" (IANS, 3/10).