The International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) set up a roadmap to popularise the sport of biathlon at the school level worldwide by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The official meeting took place in Lausanne in October 2025 during the IFs Forum. On behalf of the IBU, Olle Dahlin (IBU President) and Max Cobb (IBU Secretary General) met with ISF’s Željko Tanasković (ISF President) , Hasnae El Ayoubi (ISF Executive Director) and Marko Petrič (ISF Sport Director).

By working together, IBU and ISF aim to encourage the practice of biathlon by school students of all genders and promote the use of school biathlon competitions as a development platform.

While the ISF will support the IBU in expanding the community of kids and bringing biathlon to schools through its network of National/Regional School Sports Federations, the IBU will use its expertise to organise school competitions of high international standards through the Biathlon 4 All project. In addition, both organisations will work together on educational programmes and activate membership collaboration.

Olle Dahlin emphasised the importance of this collaboration and the many strategic opportunities it offers:

Željko Tanasković elaborate on the long-term plans of the ISF and the benefits of this enhanced cooperation:

Apart from their key mission to popularise biathlon among kids, both federations will work on further aspects of good governance in sports by joining the fight against all forms of racism in sport, promoting sustainability, as well as the principles of fair play and integrity. Moreover, workshops, seminars, and other educational events for technical officials and teachers, especially PE teachers, are foreseen to achieve both objectives.

About International School Sport Federation (ISF)

Founded in 1972, the International School Sport Federation (ISF) is an international non-profit sport organisation, acting as the umbrella organisation and governing body for national school sport organisations around the world, organising sport, and educational events for youth from 11 to 18 years old.

Recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1995, the ISF currently consists of 126 members over the five continents organising over 5 - 7 events per year and has more than 30 different sports included in its competition programme.

Besides its sport events, ISF also creates and delivers quality education and capacity-building activities for physical education teachers, national school sport representatives, coaches, officials, and students around the world.

About Biathlon 4 All

Biathlon 4 All is an International Biathlon Union (IBU) development project launched in 2023 to make biathlon more popular and accessible to everyone. By providing National Federations with laser biathlon rifle sets, targets, mats, and other equipment, the initiative helps create fun, safe, and inclusive opportunities for children and young athletes to experience the sport. Through close partnerships with National Federations, the IBU supports tailored programmes that encourage participation, recruitment, and growth at every level, including Olympic and Paralympic pathways. So far, 46 National Federations have benefitted from the project, receiving 645 rifle sets over three seasons. Learn more at www.biathlon-4all.com

Photo: ISF