Maryna Zuyeva. An archive photo
MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – Belarusian athletes are taking part in the Russian Speed Skating Championship in Irkutsk, Russia, BelTA has learned.
The Russian championship medal events are held only for local athletes. Representatives of Belarus compete for medals as part of the Irkutsk Open international competitions. Four medal events were held on the opening day with Belarusian skaters securing podium spots in two of them. Maryna Zuyeva clocked 4:12.38 to finish first in the women’s 3000m. Ekaterina Aldoshkina from Russia’s Chelyabinsk Oblast came in second. Hanna Damaratskaya took silver in the women’s 500m clocking 38.28 seconds. Daria Kachanova from Nizhny Novgorod claimed gold.
Belarus’ Artsiom Chaban was 10th in the men’s 500m. Yahor Damaratsky finished sixth in the men’s 5,000m.
Irkutsk Open, held as part of the Russian Speed Skating Championship, is underway through 27 December.
