Kazakhstan's Ekaterina Shabalina made history by competing in triathlon at the Olympics, marking the country's first representation in this popular sport in 16 years. However, her race was fraught with challenges, forcing her to withdraw midway through the competition.
Men’s race postponed the previous day
According to Sport24 Shabalina's troubles began during the swimming leg, held in the murky waters of the Seine River.
"Triathlon is a contact sport, and it's tough for referees to monitor all the action in the water," she told Sport24 correspondent Konstantin Lesik. After being jostled and inhaling water, she became nauseous and had to withdraw during the cycling segment.
Despite the setback, Shabalina approached the event with a positive attitude. She noted the strong currents in the Seine and the difficulties in securing a good swimming position. The men’s race had been postponed the previous day, raising concerns about similar disruptions. Nonetheless, she was prepared for any eventuality, emphasizing her commitment to the sport despite the challenges.
Started at a young age
Shabalina's journey into triathlon began at a young age. Initially a swimmer from the city of Sovietsky, she transitioned to triathlon at 17 and later moved to Astana. In 2020, Shabalina changed her citizenship to represent Kazakhstan, motivated by concerns over frequent doping scandals affecting Russian athletes and her uncertain participation in international competitions.
Reflecting on her experience in the Olympic Village, Shabalina expressed some disappointment. Logistics issues prevented her from attending a swim training session, and she noted that her team's accommodations lacked hot water.
