This winter, the IBU and its Climate Partner Viessmann are transforming sporting success into tangible environmental action with the 'Forest of Champions' project

Throughout the 2024/25 season, every podium and flower ceremony position at IBU events will contribute directly to reforestation at Untersberg in the region of Marktschellenberg. One tree seedling will be planted for each athlete or team attending the ceremonies across the IBU World Cup, IBU Cup, Junior Cup and Para Biathlon World Cup.

From Sporting Achievement to Environmental Impact

Biathlon is deeply connected to nature: snow conditions, forests and mountain landscapes are not just the backdrop of the sport, but an essential part of its identity. The 'Forest of Champions' project effectively links these two integral parts, competitive achievement and the natural environment. Following the successful tree-planting activities initiated during the Loop One Festival in October 2025, where the IBU joined athletes, fans and partners in supporting tangible environmental action, this new campaign marks a next step in embedding sustainability into the heart of biathlon.

By the end of the season, over a thousand seedlings will have been earned by top athletes. These trees will be planted during a dedicated reforestation session in Spring 2026, at the IBU's home mountain Untersberg, just a stone's throw from Ruhpolding.

Joint Commitment with Viessmann

As the IBU’s long-standing Climate Partner, Viessmann plays a central role in the initiative. The planting activities will be carried out jointly by the IBU and Viessmann, underlining a shared commitment to climate responsibility across sport, industry and athletes. Rather than focusing on symbolic gestures, Forest of Champions is designed as a measurable and transparent contribution, turning concrete sporting results into real-world action.

While the trees will be planted in a single reforestation window, the impact of Forest of Champions is intended to last far beyond. By connecting athletic success with environmental action, the IBU and Viessmann aim to highlight how sport can play a meaningful role in sustainability - competition by competition and tree by tree.

Tree Ranking by Nation after Trimester 1

After the first trimester, France is leading the nation tree rankings with a total of 106 ceremony positions, followed by Norway (54) and Germany (35). Sweden and Ukraine are rounding off the Top 5 with 33 and 28 appearances across all IBU competition series. A total of 358 seedlings have already been collected in November and December.