--- In biathlonnorthamerica@yahoogroups.com, "ronbott" <ronbott@...>
wrote:
>
> Are these available anywhere?
>
> http://www.izhmash.ru/rus/news/301008.shtml
>
> http://www.izhmash.ru/pix/news/biathlon_BI-7-4(09).jpg
>

Here is a translation:

This week, "Izhmash" sent our teams a few dozen rifles for biathlon of
the latest models, manufactured individually for each athlete based on
the level of training and personal wishes. The first rifle will be
winners of international competitions Ol'ga Medvedtseva (Dusty),
Tatiana Moiseeva, Anna Kunayev, Maxim Chudov. Rifles have been
designed and manufactured to order Biathlon Union of Russia.

It is a new model of "Biathlon" - Elite rifle class BI-7-4 performance
09 made this furor among athletes. It differs significantly in design
appearance and original design solutions, which allow to adjust
settings for individual rifle athlete demands. Corrosion and wear
resistance of a new chrome cover with respect to the phosphate is
applied above the black-lacquered not commensurate.

- All of these innovations allow biathlete to be sure that the rifle
at the moment does not fail, and, ultimately, to achieve high results,
- said Head of the sport and hunting weapons, weapons Design Center
Izhmash, developer rifles "Biathlon" Vladimir Susloparov.

Director of Children and Young People's Olympic Reserve School of
Udmurt Republic Biathlon, Olympic winner Alexei Kobelev ordered their
charges to several of these rifles.

- Previous models have demonstrated good performance. Of course, the
new model with improved performance gives great hope, - said Alexei
Kobelev.

- "Izhmash" has long been providing our teams with high-quality
weapons, conducts his service. Considerable efforts today are attached
to enhance the competitiveness of the Russian rifles for biathlon.
Among the priorities are now - to establish its own mobile service
center to service rifles "Biathlon at the competitions in Russia and
abroad - said the general director of JSC" Izhevsk mashzavod "Vladimir
Grodetsky. - Restore old position in providing quality and reliable
Biathlon Russian-made weapons today - matter of honor, a matter of
prestige country.