Germany’s Felix loch is the hot favourite and has set the early pace. He leads the pack of 39 competitors with a combined time of 2:35.762.
Hot on his heels are Albert Demchenko of Russia and Italy’s Armin Zoeggeler who are 0.398 seconds and 1.041 seconds back respectively.
Another man to look out for is Tonga’s Bruno Banani, an interesting character who changed his name to that of German underwear manufacturer (His birth name is Fuahea Semi)
Lets hope there’ll be no skid marks after Banani’s luge tears down the track, eh. Ahem!
It's gold for Anastasiya Kuzmina (center), silver for Olga Vilukhina (right) and bronze for Vita Semerenko (left) in the women's 7.5km biathlon sprint. Although representing Slovakia, Kuzmina was born in Russia. I guess that makes her the first Russian born athlete to claim gold at Sochi 2012!
It's gold for Anastasiya Kuzmina and Slovakia in the 7.5 km biathlon sprint. Kuzmina successfully defends the title she won in Vancouver 4 years ago. Silver goes to Olga Vilukhina who secures Russia's second medal at the Sochi games. Bronze goes to Vita Semerenko of the Ukraine
What is it with the Dutch and speed skating, someone asked.... Easy, we all grow up with learning to bike and skating, from at about 2 years on. Every village/city has something to skate on in wintertime.hans dingerdisat 2:46 PM
Rifles at the ready! We've got the Women’s 7.5 km biathlon sprint in the crosshairs.
I wonder if today’s events at the Laura Cross-country Ski and Biathlon Center can live up to yesterday’s historic scenes as Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen equalled the record for most medals won at the Winter Olympics. Just the 12 medals now for Bjoerndalen.
Of the 84 competitors setting out on the women’s 7.5 km today, watch out for Norway's Tora Berger and Ukraine's Olena Pidrushna.
Berger won Olympic gold in the 15 km individual event in Vancouver 2010 while Pidrushna is a multiple European and World Championship winner.
Our biathletes will be setting off shortly, keep it tuned for live updates.
Irene Wust takes the cheers at the Adler Arena after securing gold in the ladies' 3,000m speed skating event. The flying Dutchwoman (who skates) is now the most successful female Dutch speed skater of all time. Not a bad afternoon's work as the Netherlands continue their domination of the ice-track.
"I think that it has been blown out of proportion
compared to what it is. I had a very good welcome like every other athlete.
There were absolutely no problems."I only want to focus on sports and I think if you're
tolerant towards everyone else they treat you the same way and it gives you a
lot of joy. I think you can make a statement by jumping well."
I for one am not watching or following anything to do with this winter Olympics in Russia. I reached a point in my life where I feel very comfortable withdrawing support of any type from individuals, groups, companies and countries that do not recognise basic human rights.pauljsodenat 1:33 PM
"At the top I felt nauseous and I felt sick. I thought 'let's go through what I'm more consistent with' and oh my god it paid off."I just want to break down right now and cry. I felt so much mental and physical pressure. I'm so happy. I feel so much gratitude."
Swiss gold! Dario Cologna wins the second gold medal of his Olympic career by taking victory in the men's cross-country 30km skiathlon. Silver goes to Sweden's Marcus Hellner, with Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin narrowly missing out on a medal after Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway holds on for bronze.
