Biathlon for All

BIATHLON FOR ALL PROJECT PRINCIPLES

Promoting biathlon is a vital part of the IBU Target 30 strategy. This project aims to inspire and encourage kids and youths to practice biathlon by giving them sustainable, safe equipment and a comprehensive activities toolkit that can be used across the world. Through the 'Biathlon for All' program, IBU will assist National Federations by providing laser/optical rifle equipment (rifles, targets, supporters, mats), and promotional materials and funds to help implement their strategy for recruiting and training kids and youths. This project will continue for an extended period.

More you can find here www.biathlon-4all.com

The project requires an NFs action plan approved by IBU and the assignment of a Project Coordinator (PC) responsible for project implementation and reporting during the project duration. IBU may contact the PC at any time during the project duration and request interim reports, photos and videos. In addition,

The project requires:

• Appointment of a National Project Coordinator. ​

• Action plan for Biathlon for All activities, which may include promotional and training activities, combine laser rifle shooting with running, rollerblading, roller skiing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. ​

• Each NF may get up to 10 laser rifle sets.​

• Reports regularly during the project on activities to be used for the Biathlon4All website for past events. For the website, NF engages to provide information about upcoming events regularly.

• Project Coordinator shares their experience during Biathlon4All online workshops and seminars.

• As part of the Biathlon4All project, the NFs are obligated to participate actively in International Biathlon Day, the last weekend of May.

• NFs that fail to report their activities must return their laser rifles to the IBU. 

All the project promotional and organisational materials are available on this page in the downloads section.

INTERNATIONAL BIATHLON DAY

International Biathlon Day (IBD), held each year on the last weekend of May, is a global celebration that brings biathlon closer to communities worldwide. Through “try-it” zones, youth races, family relays, and recruitment events, National Federations showcase the sport’s fun, inclusive spirit. It’s a chance to highlight our achievements, promote ongoing activities, and strengthen communication through a unified identity - reaching more people and growing the biathlon community together.

The IBU runs an additional call for applications to support the dedicated projects. National Federations are invited to organise an International Biathlon Day. The goal is to make sure it's a big, inclusive party that welcomes athletes, para-athletes, kids, parents, coaches, and volunteers alike.

To learn more about the International Biathlon Day and activities of National Federations, please visit the project page here.

IBU BIATHLON FOR ALL EXCELLENCE AWARD

The IBU Biathlon for All Excellence Award is an annual award (with its first edition in 2026) for National Federations that recognises outstanding and impactful Biathlon for All (B4A) initiatives based on the completed actions, which aim at increasing accessibility, inclusion, and grassroots participation and recruitment in biathlon and para biathlon. The Award encourages National Federations to report on successful events or series of events, showcase inclusion in their strategic development planning, and share best practices.

Applications are open to all Full National Federation Members. Each Full National Federation Member may submit one application per year, describing (1) an event or (2) a series of events. The initiative must have been implemented within the previous 24 months. An NF that wins the Biathlon for All Excellence Award may not submit another application in the following year.

Please refer to the following guidelines for the 2026 edition:

• Applications submission: on IBU Scope

• Applications period: 1 April - 30 June 2026

B4A ON IBU LEARNINGSUITE

The IBU LearningSuite is an educational platform that hosts useful resources on various topics around biathlon and para biathlon. As part of Biathlon 4 All, the following courses are available on the IBU LearningSuite:

• B4A Project Coordinators Meeting, 25 November 2025

• B4A Project Coordinators Meeting, 9 April 2025

• Kids and Youth Recruitment Forum 2024

• Visual identity and templates for printings

• B4A Case Studies

• International Biathlon Day

• B4A Profiles of National Federations (coming soon)

• B4A Instructors (coming soon)

EVENTS

Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting (29 June - 01 July 2026, Salzburg)

Since 2023, after three years of the Biathlon 4 All programme, hundreds of events delivered, and more than 645 laser and optical rifle sets distributed, we would like to come together to reflect on the programme, exchange experiences, and define a plan for the future. Under the motto “Grow as we do,” we would be delighted to welcome representatives of National Federations to Salzburg for a series of information and discussion sessions designed to support and motivate project coordinators in their work. This meeting aims to create a platform for face-to-face exchange and discussion of individual efforts and experiences.

The IBU Development Department invites one representative of each National Federation to participate in the meeting:

• Dates: 29 June - 01 July 2026

• City: Salzburg, Austria

• Location: Rif Sports Centre (Universitäts- und Landessportzentrum Salzburg/Rif)

• Registration: B4A Project Coordinators Meeting

Please register for the participation no later than 20 April 2026. Further information regarding the accommodation, meals, and travel contribution is available in the invitation document:

Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting (25 November 2025, online)

The meeting was intended to share progress since the project's launch in 2023, welcome new national federations, and highlight key principles, milestones, and best practices. The session featured a new summary video showcasing national events and the IBU’s LOOP ONE Festival, emphasising children’s participation, Athlete Ambassador engagement, and International Biathlon Day, and introduced two new website pages: one highlighting International Biathlon Day activities worldwide and another providing downloadable resources to support the organisation and promotion of Biathlon 4 All events.

All materials from the meeting (incl. video recording, presentation, useful links and resources) can be found in IBU Learning Suite here.

Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting (9 April 2025, online)

The meeting was intended for representatives of the National Federation responsible for Biathlon 4 All and Development who were interested in participating in B4A in 2025. During the meeting, the organisers summarised last year’s B4A activities, presented the B4A website, discussed promotion opportunities, introduced International Biathlon Day on 24 May 2025, and shared best practices.

The presentation from the meeting can be found in IBU Learning Suite here.

Kids and Youth Recruitment Forum (22-24 May 2024, Oestersund, Sweden)

PROJECT GUIDELINES

International Biathlon Day

Biathlon 4 All

Biathlon for All Excellence Award

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

International Biathlon Day

The call for applications for the International Biathlon Day 2026 closed on 17 March 2026. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for more details. National Federations will be informed about the status of their application by 31 March 2026.

Biathlon 4 All

A new call for applications is open for the Biathlon 4 All programme. National Federations (NF) from Development Categories A-E are invited to apply to receive support in the form of laser or optical rifles as well as promotional support.

Please note that this call for applications is available to National Federations that have not received support in season 2025/2026 (either through Biathlon 4 All (2nd call) or Material Distribution). Please refer to the Application Guidelines for more details.

• Applications submission: on IBU Scope

• Applications period: 1 April - 12 May 2026

• Results announcement: by 31 May 2026

Biathlon for All Excellence Award

Applications are open to all Full National Federation Members. Each Full National Federation Member may submit one application per year, describing (1) an event or (2) a series of events. The initiative must have been implemented within the previous 24 months. An NF that wins the Biathlon for All Excellence Award may not submit another application in the following year. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for more details.

• Applications submission: on IBU Scope

• Applications period: 1 April - 30 June 2026

APPLICATION TEMPLATES

International Biathlon Day

Biathlon 4 All

BIATHLON 4 ALL SUPPORT

Biathlon 4 All

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Maxim Berdnikov - Development Project Coordinator maxim.berdnikov@ibu.at

Dagmara Gerasimuk - Development Director dagmara.gerasimuk@ibu.at