Irina NIKOULTCHINA

Irina Nikulchina's greatest success was her Olympic bronze medal in the pursuit at the 2002 Games. Prior to Salt Lake City, she had twice placed on the World Cup podium, both times in a sprint competition. After placing 11th in the sprint competition, Nikulchina moved up the field in the pursuit, leading the field with Norway's Liv Grete Skjelbreid and Magdalena Forsberg (Sweden) at the last shooting. All three missed two shots, and were passed by Pyleva and Wilhelm, but Nikulchina held on to win a surprising bronze. Later that same year, Nikulchina married her coach, Ivan Keradzhiev.