Semerenko twins become Friends EURO
Friday, June 17, 2011
Article summary
Ukrainian biathletes Viktoriya and Valentyna Semerenko, twice silver medallists at the World Championships, have been unveiled as the latest Friends of UEFA EURO 2012.
Article top media content
Article body
Ukrainian biathletes Viktoriya and Valentyna Semerenko have become Friends of UEFA EURO 2012.
The twins were unveiled on breakfast programme Pidyom (Wake Up) by Ukrainian UEFA EURO 2012 tournament director Markiyan Lubkivskiy. "This status is given to people who have enjoyed great achievements in different spheres of life," he explained. "The Semerenko sisters have been bringing fame to Ukraine at tournaments across the world. We are glad to have them on board."
The 25-year-olds were members of Ukraine's Biathlon World Championships silver medal-winning quartets in the 4 x 6km relay in 2008 and 2011. Viktoriya also claimed bronze in the 15km individual event this year and, with a football-playing husband, says she has a head start on Valentyna when it comes to football. They could not be separated in terms of anticipation for next summer's event, however.
One hundred people in Poland will be officially named as Friends of UEFA EURO 2012 – half of them public figures selected by the local organising committee (LOC), with the remaining spots destined for the general public via competitions open to all ages. Tournament co-hosts Ukraine will also nominate 100 Friends of EURO.