Lebanon lands on the Balkan podium

Lebanon’s national biathlon team continues to make quiet but powerful strides on the international stage. Competing in the Balkan Championships held across Romania and Bosnia, the Lebanese delegation delivered standout performances against some of the region’s strongest athletes, proving that even a relatively new sport in Lebanon can compete at a high level.  Only three years after biathlon was officially launched locally, Lebanese athletes are already bringing home medals from abroad.

Paul Kirouac’s double podium finish

Leading the charge was Paul Kirouac, member of the Lebanese national team and the Lebanese Army Ski School. Kirouac climbed the podium twice during the tournament with a bronze medal in the men’s 15 km race in Romania and a silver medal in the men’s 10 km race in Bosnia His back-to-back podium finishes reflect individual excellence as well as the growing technical foundation of Lebanon’s winter sports programs, particularly within military and institutional training systems.

A strong showing from Lebanon’s women

Lebanon’s presence was not limited to the men’s field. In the junior women’s category, Ceral Lazem delivered two impressive performances, earning two silver medals and second place in both 10 km races held in Bosnia. Her results signal the steady development of a female competitive base in a sport that is still in its early stages in Lebanon.

High-level competition

The championship saw participation from several leading Balkan nations, including: Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Turkey, alongside Lebanon. Competing against countries with longer-established winter sports infrastructures adds weight to Lebanon’s achievements. These were not symbolic medals. They were earned in technically demanding races against experienced regional contenders.

Momentum building

This marks the second consecutive international event in which Lebanese biathletes have secured medals abroad. For a sport introduced locally only three years ago, the pace of progress is notable. The results point to structured training, disciplined preparation, and growing institutional support. In a country more associated with summer coastlines than snow tracks, Lebanon’s biathlon team is quietly redefining expectations, one podium at a time.