Name: Baiba Bendika
Date of Birth: 27.06.1991
Hometown: Priekuļi, Cēsis
Height: 156cm
Education: Vidzeme University of applied sciences,
Tourism Organization and Management bachelor
Hobbies: Culinary & Video Editing
Biathlon Entrance: 2001
World cup debut: 2011
Personal Coach: Ilmārs Bricis
First Coach: Juris Stīpnieks
First time I stepped on skis was when I was 4 years old, but in biathlon I started to train when I was 10 years old to my dad's old coach! After just few trainings I fell in love with this sport!
I was really active kid and except biathlon I also tried to race all local running and skiing competitions, did orienteering sport and even played floorball for 2 years, so I had quite active childhood till the time I needed to give all my time just for biathlon.
I've always loved to watch the biathlon when I was young and dreamed to go for the Olympic Games one day. In the trainings I always work hard and take step by step, slowly achieving bigger and smaller goals, knowing that I need to improve and I can be better, so that's what keeps me going.
My first big international experience was in 2009 European Youth Olympic Festival in Poland. My first special moment in biathlon was in summer 2010, when I won IBU cross biathlon overall for junior girls - so I got the same looking crystal globe as a World Cup winner, that was special for me as a young biathlete who's dreaming about this major level.
The competition that will forever be special moment for me is my first World cup flower ceremony in Canmore where I finished 5th in sprint. That was an incredible day, it was also the first time I finished in World Cup points and I rewrote Latvian biathlon history that day. I felt like I was in different world that day!
Season 2020/2021 I finally got my first big medal- becoming the European champion in sprint. Also in World champs I showed great performance and was fighting for a medal till last shooting in mass start, finishing in high 9th place.
My goal for season 2021/2022 is to get first ever podium in World Cup in Latvian Women Biathlon History and also fight for podium in the Olympic Games 2022!
..or as I love to say,
Eager to reach those mountain peaks!