Sport
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Estonia's Olympic Hopefuls Face Hurdles as Nation Boosts Athlete Support
Biathlete Johanna Talihärm is fighting to reach her fourth Olympic Games after a months-long health setback, as Estonia's anti-doping agency launches a new partnership to provide faster psychological support for athletes facing abuse or other pressures.
- —Biathlete Johanna Talihärm is targeting her fourth Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, overcoming a significant health setback that prevented her from training for several months.
- —Speed skater Marten Liiv is focusing on medal opportunities in both the 500m and 1000m events at the upcoming Olympics, buoyed by recent World Cup success.
- —The Estonian Anti-Doping and Ethics Foundation (EADSE) is launching a partnership with peaasi.ee to provide faster psychological support for athletes who have experienced abuse.
- —Badminton player Kristin Kuuba maintains her 130th position in the World Badminton Federation rankings, a significant achievement for Estonian women's badminton.
- —The Tartu Marathon was recognized as the 2025 Sports Competition of the Year by the Ida-Viru Sports Association, acknowledging its unique relocation due to snow conditions.
Recap
Estonia's approach to elite sports is evolving, balancing the intense pressure on individual athletes with new institutional frameworks for mental health. The parallel stories of personal comebacks and systemic support signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing athlete well-being as a component of national sporting success.