After the washed down application to host Biathlon World Championships two years ago at the 7th IBU Congress,  the Czech Biathlon Union has  succeded in its second attempt during the 8th Congress at Prague. Nove Mesto na Morave will hots the IBU’s most prestigious event in 2013. The city with its population of 10.500 in the Visocina region in central Czechia is a well-known cross-country venue, which recently built a new shooting range and expanded their stadium for last season‘s European Biathlon Championships. On biathlonworld.com, Vaclav Firtik, the President of the Czech Biathlon Union,  talks about how it feels to finally belong to the „Biathlon High Society“.

biathlonworld.com: Did you expect to win the election?

Vaclav Firtik: Of course, we wanted to win when we went into the bidding process, but we really couldn’t be sure.

biathlonworld.com: Do you think, it was an advantage for Nove Mesto to have had the decision taken at the IBU Congress at Prague on your home soil?

Firtik: Of course, we had more opportunities to influence the delegates there but on the other hand it was a little dangerous for us, too. Had there been any problems with the congress organization - it could have worked just the other way round.

biathlonworld.com: What was your intial feeling after you heard Nove Mesto had won?

Firtik: Yes! We made it...! There were feelings of great satisfaction and relief at the same time. We invested a lot of money and effort, so to lose a second time - I better not think about it!

biathlonworld.com: What do you think made the delegates vote for Nove Mesto rather than Oslo or Kontiolahti?

Firtik: That’s hard to say. Perhaps it was our hospitality, maybe our organization skills, maybe our strong efforts and dedication  – we have made a pretty good job during the last two to three years. Another reason could be that we as a federation have developed in a very straight and fast manner. We have also done a lot of "dirty" work for biathlon.


biathlonworld.com: What do mean with „dirty work“?

Firtik: We had to take the ardous path, had to build up a reputation. We have organized European Cups, European Championships and Summer Biathlon events. Things that, at least so far, haven’t brought the big fame.

biathlonworld.com: How important was the acceptance of your bid for the Czech biathlon, then? How far can it push the sport further in your country?

Firtik: Absolutely. It’s THE turning point for us. We hope and belive that the Czech biathlon can profit a lot and in many ways from the decision. After all, we’re now members of the „Biathlon High Society“. That‘ll give us a much stronger position in negotiations with sponsors and our government. I‘m sure that it will highly increase the  popularity of Biathlon in the Czech Republic, too.

biathlonworld.com: What kind of development plans do have until 2013? Sport wise and regarding the venue at Nove Mesto?

Firtik: At first we have to close last period, than develop a long term plan and name a „proper“ organizing team. So far there were only 4-5 people on our team. There is a lot of work to be done at Nove Mesto – from the improvement of track profiles to the building of roller ski tracks, wax cabins, snow storage, all infrastructure... And of course we will have to develop  our young athletes. We want to have a team in 2013 at the World Champs that will be able to compete for titles and medals.

biathlonworld.com: How much money did you already invest to modernize the venue at Nove Mesto for the European Champs last winter and how much more do you think you will need to invest until 2013?

Firtik: About five million Euro so far. But we estimate that we’ll need at least two to three times more to further improve the venue. So, we‘ll probably need 10-15 million Euros more to develop the infrastructure: new stands all around the stadium, roads, parking spaces, accommodation etc..

biathlonworld.com: When do you start preparations for the World Champs and what will be the first thing to do?

Firtik: (laughs) We have already started two years ago! However, next week we‘ll hold our first meeting at Nove Mesto where we will lay out our basic strategy and then take it forward from there. We‘re not exactly in a rush but we’ll work steadily towards 2013 from now on. 

biathlonworld.com: What kind of reaction was there in Nove Mesto when they heard they got the World Champs?  

Firtik: For a long time, Nove Mesto only used to be a cross country venue, so in the beginning we had to change a bit the people’s way of thinking. But now, when they heard of the decision, their reaction was absolutely positive! The people there understand what the World Championships mean to Nove Mesto as a venue, as a town and also to the region. They are pretty aware of the fact that it is a great challenge for them, as well as a great opportunity. So far, in Nove Mesto only cross country World Cups or Tour de Ski " events took place but never World Championships.