**Zabelinskiy Secures Silver for Cyprus at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games**
Taranto, Italy – In a historic achievement for Cyprus, cyclist Bogdan Zabelinskiy clinched the nation's first medal at the 'Taranto 2026' Mediterranean Games, earning a silver in the men’s individual cycling time trial. Zabelinskiy completed the challenging 17-kilometre course with a time of 20:14.14, showcasing his remarkable talent and determination.
The event saw fierce competition, with Portugal's Tiago Gomes Antunes taking home the gold medal, finishing with an impressive time of 20:05.95. Close behind him was his compatriot Rafael Ferreira Reis, who secured the bronze medal, finishing just half a second after Zabelinskiy.
In addition to Zabelinskiy’s performance, fellow Cypriot Andreas Miltiades participated in the same event, finishing in 12th place with a time of 21:47.44.
The women's individual cycling time trial also witnessed notable performances, with three-time Olympian Andri Christoforou representing Cyprus. She finished 11th among a competitive field of 17 cyclists, clocking in at 25:12.55.
In the swimming events, Kalia Antoniou came close to adding another medal for Cyprus in the women’s 50m butterfly. After qualifying for the final with a time of 26.78 seconds, Antoniou achieved a personal best of 26.41 seconds in the final but narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. The gold medal in this event was claimed by Greece’s Anna Doudounaki, who completed the race in 26.11 seconds, followed by Italy’s Scotto di Carlo and Egypt’s Farida Osman.
As the Cypriot delegation continues its participation in the Mediterranean Games, 15 athletes are set to compete across seven sports. Notably, the national handball team is making its debut at this prestigious event, marking a significant milestone for the sport in Cyprus.
Bogdan Zabelinskiy, who has made a name for himself in the cycling world, is the son of Olga Zabelinskiy, a former professional racing cyclist from Uzbekistan who has won three Olympic medals. His family background in competitive cycling has undoubtedly influenced his own career, as he continues to make strides on the international stage.
The Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games represent a vital opportunity for athletes from across the region to showcase their skills and foster camaraderie. With Cyprus already achieving its first medal, the nation looks forward to further successes as the games progress.