Irina Polyakova took the sport of skiing and biathlon only at the age of 35 which is quite late in her career and got the opportunity to represent Russia at the 1998 Winter Paralympics at the age of 37. She wasn't successful in her maiden Paralympic event as she went medalless before claiming her maiden Paralympic medal, a silver medal in the women's cross-country skiing relay team event at the 2002 Winter Paralympics. Irina also was part of the Russian relay team which claimed gold medal in the women's relay open event in the 2006 Winter Paralympics.