Veronika Vítková

Veronika Vítková was born on 9 December 1988 in Vrchlabí, Czech Republic. She is a professional biathlete. Her career began as a cross-country skier. This sport is very popular and runs in her family. Vítková finally made her pick and switched to biathlon at the age of 10. She made her World Cup debut in 2005. Her coach is Zdenek Vítek, one of the long lasted former biathletes that the Czech Republic ever produced. Vítková competed at the 2008 World Championships in Östersund. She made quite an impression with her debut at World Championships considering her finish - 14th place in the Individual and 16th in the relay. In the sprint, Vítková didn't do well - 57th. The next year, 2009 at the World Championships in Pyeongchang, she was 5th in the Individual, 18th in the sprint, twice 10th in the pursuit and mass start and 12th in the relay. Incredible success for the young and talented biathlete. Vítková was chosen to join the Czech team at the Olympics in Vancouver. She participated in all disciplines and finished 68th in Individual, 24th in the sprint, 37th in the pursuit and 16th in the relay. The next year at the 2011 World Championships in Khanty-Mansyisk, she once more showed her stability when it comes to good results in the 15 km Individual event. Vítková placed 8th. Sadly in the other races she didn't show such potential - 55th in the sprint, 34th in the pursuit, 30th in the mass start and 11th in the relay. Her performance slightly changed for the 2012 World Championships in Ruhpolding. She came 15th in the Individual, 25th in the sprint, 18th in the pursuit, 14th in the mass start and 10 in the relay. In Oberhof Vítková achieved her first podium, a second place in the pursuit in 2012-2013. She finished the season at number 16. The 2013-2014 began with a fabulous second place in the sprint in Hochfilzen and later a third place in the Individual in Ruhpolding. During the 2013 World Championships held in Nove Mesto, Vítková won the bronze medal in the mixed relay. Finished 14th in the Individual, 10th in the sprint and relay, 8th in the pursuit and 19th in the mass start. Progress speaks for itself with her 9th place in the overall. The second Olympics in her career were the ones in 2014 in Sochi. The mixed relay team composed of her, Gabriela Soukalová, Jaroslav Soukup and Ondrej Moravec won the silver medal. As for her personal results, Vítková placed 6th in the Individual, 16th in the sprint, 21st in the pursuit, 8th in the mass start and 4th in the relay. During the 2014-2015 season, she finally achieved her first World Cup victory in the sprint in Oberhof. A few days later Vítková came 2nd in the mass start. Another second place in the sprint in Östersund and three times 3rd in the Individual in Holmenkollen, the sprint in Nove Mesto and the mass start in Ruhpolding. At the 2015 World Championships in Kontiolahti she won the gold medal in the mixed relay, placed twice 8th in the Individual and the relay, 15th in the sprint, 11th in the pursuit and 29th in the mass start. Vítková concluded the season at 4th position in the overall. The 2015-2016 season was without any victories nor podiums but proved to be quite successful. She came twice 4th in the sprint and mass start in Pokljuka. And at the 2016 World Championships in Holmenkollen placed 6th in the Individual, 16th in the sprint, 21st in the pursuit, 8th in the mass start and 4th in the relay. Vítková was 8th at the end in the overall. It's expected much excitement what will she show in future. Vítková proved her remarkable performance over the years with great results in every biathlon discipline. She is one of the brightest stars in the World Cup.