It was only a matter of time. Artificial Intelligence has been rapidly reshaping the sports world, from tactical data analysis to nutritional planning. But now, the integration of AI has reached the pinnacle of athletic achievement: the podium. Ukrainian biathlete Maksym Murashkovskyi has made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics by winning a silver medal in the visually impaired category, crediting his success to a unique training partner—ChatGPT.
Murashkovskyi, who has faced immense logistical challenges due to the ongoing invasion of his home country, revealed that he turned to the AI model to fill the gap left by the lack of consistent professional coaching.
“I have been training with ChatGPT for the last six months,” Murashkovskyi stated after his race. “It wasn’t just about tactics. It was half of my training plan; it played a huge role in my entire preparation. I used it as a psychologist, a coach, and sometimes even as a medic.”
For many Ukrainian athletes, the war has meant displacement and limited access to traditional sports infrastructure. For Murashkovskyi, the AI became an essential resource, helping him manage his schedule, mental preparation, and physical conditioning.
“It is a revolutionary technology,” he noted. While acknowledging the ethical debates surrounding AI, the medalist remains pragmatic: “It is like chemistry or biology—someone uses it for good, others for bad. I use it to learn… in sports, it has replaced what I previously defined as ‘classic’ training with humans.”
Murashkovskyi’s silver medal stands as a testament to human resilience and technological innovation. As he prepares for his next event in cross-country skiing this Tuesday, his story proves that when filtered through human experience and dedication, AI can indeed become a tool for Olympic-level success.