Alexei Aidarov

Born Alexei Petrovich Aidarov on 15 November 1974 in Sverdlovsk, Russia, is a retired biathlete. Although Aidarov was Russian born, he competed for Belarus until 2006 and then for Ukraine. His first year in biathlon was 1984 and he made his World Cup debut on 8 December 1994. The first World Championships in his career were in Antholz-Anterselva in 1995. He took part only in one event - the 10 km sprint, where placed 18th. One year afterwards in 1996 at the World Championships in Ruhpolding, Aidarov won a bronze medal with the relay team. In the other disciplines, finished 42nd in the Individual and 24th in the pursuit. During the 1997-1998 season, Alexei Aidarov achieved his World Cup victory - on 7 December 1997 in the 12.4 km pursuit in Lillehammer. He placed twice 3rd in the 20 km Individual in Antholz-Anterselva and in Nagano. Also 4th in the 10 km sprint in Antholz-Anterselva. This was his first successful season when Aidarov finished 13th in the overall. The 1998-1999 was wonderful for the biathlete. On 16 January 1999 he made his second World Cup victory in the 10 km sprint in Ruhpolding. Managed a 4th place in the pursuit in Oberhof, twice 6th again the pursuit discipline in Ruhpolding and in the Individual in Hochfilzen. At the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Aidarov won a bronze medal in the 20 km Individual, was 37th in the sprint and 4th in the relay. The season concluded at number 12 in the overall. Later Aidarov's achievements show a 5th place in the Individual in Holmenkollen in 1999-2000, 3rd place in the sprint in Lahti in 2002-2003 and 5th in the sprint in Pokljuka. At the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, placed 17th in the Individual, 37th in the sprint, 48th in the pursuit and 8th in the relay. Since the bronze medal in the relay in the 1996 World Championships in Ruhpolding, Aidarov won another 3 medals with the relay team - a gold in 1999 in Kontiolahti, silver in 2001 in Pokljuka and a bronze in 2003 in Khanty-Mansyisk. Unfortunately, he never won a single medal for his individual results from any World Championships. Alexei Aidarov retired after the end of 2007-2008 when he finished 39th in the overall.