TYUMEN, March 13. /TASS/. Russia’s Olympic bronze medalist in biathlon Yevgeny Garanichev has announced plans to wrap up sports career following the current season, the titled biathlete told journalists on Wednesday.

"After having recovered from the coronavirus disease I kept encountering new viruses and diseases for the next three years as I was trying to regain my physical shape and I had to start all over again," Garanichev said.

"I have decided for myself that this season will be the last one for me and I am wrapping up my sports career after it," he continued.

Russia’s Tyumen Region in the southwest of Siberia is set to host the 2024 Russian Biathlon Championship between March 21 and April 1.

"The life goes on. I will continue evolving and will try finding my place in the sports of high achievements, but in another capacity. I decided to remain here in the Tymen Region," he added.

Garanichev, 36, is the bronze medal winner of the 2014 Sochi Olympics in 20-kilometer individual event. He is also the three-time gold medalist of the European Championships winning two of the medals at the 2016 IBU Open European Championships in Tyumen (in 10-kilometer Sprint event and in mixed relay event), and at the 2017 IBU Open European Championships in Poland’s Duszniki-Zdroj (in single mixed relay).