Olympic biathlon in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand and Soldier Hollow
During its 142nd session in Paris, the International Olympic Committee has awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030 to the French Alps and the 2034 edition to Salt Lake City-Utah. Given the next French government will sign the Games Delivery Guarantees, Annecy-Le Grand Bornand will be the biathlon venue for 2030, whilst Soldier Hollow will host the biathlon competitions in 2034.
The next three editions of the Olympic Winter Games will see biathlon showcased in iconic venues that regularly host the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon. Each Olympic biathlon venue - Antholz (2026), Le Grand Bornand (2030) and Soldier Hollow (2034) - is known for its unique natural setting and biathlon expertise. Hosting the Olympic competitions in these venues will therefore provide perfect conditions for the athletes, fantastic fan atmospheres, and contribute to sustainable Games, said IBU President Olle Dahlin.
Annecy-Le Grand Bornand is renowned for its great atmosphere. Usually, sold-out stands cheer loudly for the home athletes and delight in an exquisite performance like it was Emilien Jacquelin’s Mass start win in the 2021/2022 season. But they also know how to acknowledge the greatness of others. Annecy-Le Grand Bornand will host the BMW IBU World Cup 2024/2025 on 19-22 December 2024.
In an emotional speech - as part of the French Alps 2030 pitch - Martin Fourcade, the five-time Olympic gold medallist and the winner of the Mass Start in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, explained what the Alps - and the Olympic spirit - mean to him.
"I was born in the mountains. I am the child of mountains and learned my sport in the mountains. And I am still fascinated by them. I remember buying a ticket for biathlon events at the Olympic Winter Games Torino 2006 and supporting my brother Simon. I was fascinated by the emotion and wanted to live it myself. It is with the same spirit that we want to organise the Games in French Alps. We will commit to the sustainable and responsible Games 2030."
Last season, Soldier Hollow hosted the BMW IBU World Cup for the first time after the 2018/2019 season and witnessed the deciding battles for the Total Score win among women and men. The venue is forever embedded in biathlon’s history, as it saw Ole Einar Bjoerndalen win all four available gold medals at the Salt Lake City 2002 Games.
The vote for the French Alps was subject to the submission of the Games Delivery Guarantee under timelines set by the IOC Executive Board, since this was not possible before the host election due to constitutional reasons in the current political context in France. The Games Delivery Guarantee should be received from the Prime Minister at the latest by 1 October 2024 and should be ratified by the French Parliament no later than 1 March 2025.
Photo: IBU
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