IBU Congress Awards Biathlon World Championships to Czech Republic and Switzerland

The IBU Congress today awarded Nove Mesto na Morave (CZE) and Lenzerheide (SUI) the IBU World Championships in 2024 and 2025 respectively, as the federation continues to take positive steps in securing biathlon’s future.

The Congress met virtually for the first time in IBU history, in order to protect the health and safety of all participants.

IBU President Olle Dahlin said:

“We are delighted to announce the hosts of our 2024 and 2025 IBU World Championships. Nove Mesto is famous around the world for producing amazing atmospheres at its biathlon events. The venue, which will be upgraded further, and the extensive experience of the organisers, will guarantee a real biathlon festival in 2024.

“Lenzerheide is well known with a long history in organizing international snow sports events. As a biathlon organiser, Lenzerheide is a relatively new member of the biathlon family. But it has undergone a rapid and impressive development in recent years by organising multiple IBU events, including the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships 2020. Its impressive application, including nationwide support, a green event approach and a promising legacy concept will make a great World Championships in a snow sport heartland in 2025.”

IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the delegates via a video message in which he congratulated the IBU on the institutional reforms that have been undertaken, as well as the well-thought through IBU Covid-19 Event Concept. President Bach said:

“You are also demonstrating this ability to overcome challenges when it comes to organising live sports events in a safe way. With a diligent preparation with regards to health protocols for the upcoming biathlon season, you are setting an example that sport can be organised safely even under the ongoing health restrictions. This is a very important signal for the entire world of sport giving us confidence in our preparations for future events, including the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and of course the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.”

At the Congress, the IBU also received a presentation from the External Review Commission (ERC) which explained that the ERC has completed its investigation and has drafted a detailed report. The ERC has made a number of provisional findings that certain individuals have cases to answer for breaches of the IBU rules in the period 2008-2018. The report is scheduled to be published in December. For more information visit here.

The IBU is committed to good governance and building on the positive change over the last two years to usher in further reforms. One key step has been the establishment of the Biathlon Integrity Unit which provided a progress report to the Congress.

The Congress also voted on motions from the IBU Executive Board and Member Federations, such as amendments to competition rules in light of COVID-19 protocols and minor constitutional amendments.