At the end of April, the 17 mentees from 13 NFs from the 2025/26 IBU and SheSkillzGlobal Mentorship Programme, “Shaping Tomorrow’s Biathlon Leaders,” gathered in Lausanne for their final project meeting. Set in the heart of the Olympic Movement, the event marked the conclusion of a 10-month journey of collaboration, learning, and personal development.

The final meeting was opened with a two-day workshop led by Eva Pasquier and Jules McGeever from EqualCareers. Their sessions focused on governance and the political landscape within sports organisations. Mentees also gained valuable guidance on crisis management and effective media performance, strengthening their ability to communicate with confidence and clarity in high-pressure situations.

A key highlight of the programme was the opportunity to engage directly with representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Solidarity. These exchanges provided deeper insight into the structure, initiatives, and support systems that shape and sustain the global sporting ecosystem. A heartfelt thank you to

• Irina Gladkikh, Associate Director, Winter and Recognised Sports and IF Relations at the IOC

• Sheila Stephens Desbans & Yassine Yousfi, Head of the Sport Development Unit of Olympic Solidarity

• Pedro Dias, Gender Equality and Inclusion Manager at the IOC

• Blandine Potemsky, Senior Internal Communications Manager at the IOC

On the last day, mentees presented the results of their group projects to the IBU leadership, including IBU President Olle Dahli, SG Max Cobb, and representatives of the International Olympic Committee.

The Lausanne meeting marked the conclusion of the “Shaping Tomorrow’s Biathlon Leaders” mentorship programme, designed to support mentees grow into confident and impactful leaders. Following the Kick-off Meeting in Salzburg, Austria, the group participated in comprehensive webinars that empowered them in their roles within their NFs. Each mentee was matched with two dedicated mentors - one from the world of biathlon and one from the project partner SheSkillzGlobal - ensuring a holistic approach to leadership development.

“With the conclusion of the programme, I encourage mentees to carry forward the knowledge, confidence, and connections they have gained. I hope they will continue to support one another and use their leadership to advance biathlon in their federations and beyond.” Olle Dahlin, IBU President