Former head coach of the Ukrainian biathlon team Vasily Karlenko died at the age of 72. The outstanding Ukrainian specialist passed away on September 10. For a long time he struggled with cancer. For many years, Karlenko was a member of the coaching staff of the Ukrainian biathlon team, and was also vice-president of the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation. In addition to biathlon, Karlenko also actively participated in the development of cross-country skiing in Ukraine. He was the first president of the Ukrainian Ski Federation since independence, and also headed the organization in 1992-1998. Karlenko was also involved in scientific activities.

The specialist was a professor at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, trained many biathlon coaches. Under his leadership, the Ukrainian biathlon team won 62 awards in international competitions, and at the 2014 Winter Olympics, the foursome of Vita and Valentina Semerenko, Elena Pidhrushna and Yulia Jima won historic gold in the relay.. In addition to winning the relay, Vita Semerenko won bronze in the women's sprint race at the 2014 Olympics..