Former biathlete for the Russian national team, Daria Virolainen, has publicly stated that she intends to travel back to Russia after her sports citizenship was changed to Finnish. This statement was relayed by Match TV.
Virolainen explained that she does not spend much time on social media and tends to avoid it. Last year she did not pay attention to online chatter. She acknowledged that some people may refer to her as a traitor, but she does not share that sentiment. She moved to Finland long ago, while she was still competing for Russia, with the move taking place in 2016. Her children attend school and kindergarten in Finland.
She expressed hope that the public would understand her situation. Virolainen sees another opportunity to prove herself on the international stage and intends to seize it, hoping to demonstrate her abilities on significant biathlon platforms.
Historically, Virolainen has achieved notable results, including a gold medal at a European Biathlon Championship event and a bronze medal in the 2017 edition of the same championships. The athlete is married to Roman Virolainen, a former Belarusian skier, and in January 2022 the couple welcomed their third son.
In the broader context, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) announced a policy in spring 2022 that Belarusian and Russian biathletes could participate in World Cup events and IBU stages only as neutral athletes. This stance was later accompanied by a suspension announced in September 2022. These developments created a complex backdrop for athletes who have switched national affiliations, including Virolainen, as they navigated eligibility, national representation, and competitive opportunities. (Source: Match TV)
In related remarks, former competitor Kristina Reztsova stated that she was glad to see her sister become part of the Finnish national team. This sentiment underscores the broader trend of athletes pursuing new national affiliations and the personal and professional implications that accompany such decisions. (Source: Match TV)