The winners of the 2025/2026 IBU Awards for Excellence in the categories of Biathlon 4 All, Sustainability, Gender Equality and Social Media were awarded tonight during a celebration of biathlon at the Gala Dinner of the 17th IBU Congress.

The awards were presented to National Federations (NFs), Organising Committees (OCs) and athletes who have demonstrated excellence across the four award categories, including Biathlon 4 All for the first time. A jury announced the shortlisted entries in each of the categories – Biathlon 4 All, Sustainability, Gender Equality and Social Media – last month before the winners were revealed at tonight’s ceremony.

The winners of the 2025/2026 IBU Awards for Excellence are:

• NF Award for Excellence in Biathlon 4 All: Biathlon Federation of Ukraine

• NF Award for Excellence in Social Media: Czech Biathlon Union

• Athlete Award for Excellence in Social Media: Adam Runnalls (CAN)

• NF Award for Excellence in Gender Equality: Brazilian Snow Sport Federation

• NF Award for Excellence in Sustainability: Estonian Biathlon Federation

• OC Award for Excellence in Sustainability: OC Ruhpolding

The winners in the NF and OC categories are rewarded 10,000€ each, while the winning athlete in the Social Media category receives 5,000€.

Earlier in the day, before the Congress concluded, a series of IBU Honours were presented. In recognition of Olle Dahlin’s outstanding contribution to the IBU and the sport of biathlon, the Congress unanimously granted him IBU Honorary Presidency.

IBU Medals of Honour were also presented to those retired from the sport who have provided extraordinary service to the sport of biathlon:

• Ingemar Arwidson (SWE)

• Olle Dahlin (SWE)

• Ekaterina Dafovska (BUL)

• Kalle Lähdesmäki (FIN)

• Dan Gheorghe Mihoc (ROU)

• Dr Franz Steinle (GER)

Márton Simon (ROU) was also presented the IBU Certificate of Honour For Individuals for his outstanding service to biathlon.

Photo: IBU/Manzoni