IBU Biathlon 4 All Award 2026

The IBU Award for Excellence in Biathlon 4 All was established in 2026 to recognise National Federations for their outstanding and impactful Biathlon 4 All (B4A) initiatives based on the completed actions (events or series of events), which aim at increasing accessibility, inclusion, and grassroots participation and recruitment in biathlon and para biathlon.

Below you can find the shortlisted submissions for the Award in 2026.

IBU Award for Excellence in Biathlon 4 All 2026 - Shortlist

NF Denmark - Promoting Biathlon Through Schools

The idea is simple, but powerful: What if biathlon didn’t start in clubs - but in the classrooms? Train the teachers, not just athletes. This Action consisted of a nationwide series of events from May 2025 to February 2026, focused on educating physical education teachers from efterskoler (boarding schools), upper secondary schools, and instructors from an event organisation. By empowering educators with practical biathlon skills and tools based on IBU Academy material, this Action transformed schools into biathlon arenas.

More than 1.700 young people were introduced to laser biathlon combined with running, cycling, roller skiing, and cross-country skiing (including school trips to Norway). In this way this action is a scalable, teacher-led model bringing biathlon directly into schools and other grassroots environments. This approach redefining access to the sport by embedding biathlon directly into school environments, creating a scalable and sustainable pathway for continuous youth engagement.

NF Finland - Biathlon for All in Finland

Since 2012, the Finnish Biathlon Federation has implemented a nationwide School Tour Programme designed to introduce children and young people to biathlon in a safe, fun and accessible way. The programme combines federation-led school visits with club-organised presentations and participation events across Finland, creating a sustainable national model for attracting new participants to the sport. The objectives of the programme are to increase awareness of biathlon, make local participation opportunities visible, lower the barrier to entry and provide positive experiences that inspire children to be physically active and try new sports. Particular emphasis is placed on inclusiveness, safety and ensuring that every participant has the opportunity to experience success regardless of sporting background or ability level.

Over the past thirteen years, the programme has reached more than 70,000 children and young people through federation and club activities. Project has had support from Urlus Foundation and recently also from IBU. It has become one of the most important recruitment tools for Finnish biathlon and a key contributor to the sport’s long-term growth. Through strong cooperation between the federation and local clubs, the initiative has evolved from a regional project into a nationwide participation model that continues to inspire new generations of biathletes every year.

NF Ukraine - Expanding Opportunities Through Education, Inclusion and Sport

Biathlon 4 All Ukraine is a nationwide initiative that uses biathlon to promote youth participation, education, inclusion, and community resilience. Originally launched to restore biathlon opportunities in war-affected Chernihiv, the project has expanded to six regions of Ukraine, engaging 880 children, 25 coaches, and 42 referees. The initiative combines regular training sessions, regional competitions, school-based activities, coach education, and inclusive programmes for children with disabilities. One of the key elements of the project is its integration with the NY president Krulko and Ministry of Youth and Sport of Ukraine nationwide “Biathlon Lesson” initiative, implemented in 15 regions and the city of Kyiv, significantly extending the project’s educational reach.

National Team coaches and IBU Academy graduates provide mentoring and share modern coaching methods with regional coaches and physical education teachers, while elite athletes act as ambassadors, inspiring young participants through direct engagement. The project has created sustainable local biathlon communities, strengthened coaching capacity, increased grassroots participation, and established a pathway for future athletes, demonstrating how sport can foster hope, development, and social inclusion despite the challenges of war.

Award Jury 2026

Aliona Sosunova (LTU), IBU Development Commission

Heli Aikioniemi (FIN), DEI Working Group

Simon Eder (AUT), IBU Athletes Committee

IBU Award for Excellence in Biathlon 4 All Winners

This award was established in 2026 with the first winner to be announced in September 2026.

Call for Applications

The call for applications for 2025-2026 season closed on 15 July 2026 (extended deadline). The top 3 shortlisted candidates will be presented at the end of August 2026. The winner will be announced during the Gala Dinner of the IBU Congress on 19 September 2026 in Berchtesgaden (GER).

IBU Award for Excellence in Biathlon 4 All 2026