A highlight of Day 1 was the special session dedicated to the development of Para Biathlon, moderated by Prof. Aleksandra Żebrowska and Prof. Zbigniew Waśkiewicz. The session, titled “The development of Para Biathlon – from community to national programmes”, offered a unique platform to discuss the evolution of this discipline from grassroots initiatives to elite competition.

Key contributions included:

• Eileen Carey, USA, emphasised the wide-ranging benefits of Paralympic programming, highlighting its impact from entry-level engagement to high-performance sport.

• John Jacques, CAN, raised strategic considerations on integrating para-athletes into able-bodied programs, discussing feasibility and long-term sustainability.

• Jayne Kavanagh, GBR, provided an inspiring account of innovation in small nations, presenting Para Biathlon as a cross-sector success story built without traditional blueprints.

• Shone Brownlee, GBR, offered a deeply personal narrative on her journey through adaptive sport, illustrating the transformative role of Para Biathlon.

• Sebastian Krystek, POL, outlined the recent history, participation trends, and prospects of the Para Biathlon World Cup, providing data-driven insight into its global trajectory.

• Andrzej Sidorowicz-Radzikowski, POL, concluded with a forward-looking view on the potential for Para Biathlon development in Poland, stressing collaboration across sports communities.

The panel ended with an open discussion that underscored the need for inclusive systems, athlete-centered pathways, and international cooperation to strengthen Para Biathlon and related sports.