The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is pleased to reveal Shibu as the official mascot of the Biathlon 4 All project. With its debut, Shibu will serve as a dynamic ambassador for the IBU’s efforts to make Olympic and Paralympic biathlon more accessible and engaging worldwide. Through appearances at events, educational activities, and community programmes, Shibu will help share the excitement of biathlon with new audiences and inspire greater participation across all ages and abilities.

Inspired by Japan’s much-loved Shiba Inu, Shibu embodies a unique mix of charm, enthusiasm and character that brings the spirit of biathlon closer to everyone.

The Shiba Inu is renowned for its loyalty, confidence, intelligence and agility – qualities that perfectly mirror the core values of biathlon: precision, resilience and teamwork. Just as athletes combine focus and determination on the shooting range with strength and stamina on the tracks, Shibu symbolises balance, versatility and commitment.

A playful combination in its name

The mascot’s name, Shibu, is a playful combination that reflects both its inspiration and its roots. It draws on the Shiba Inu, the spirited Japanese dog breed. At the same time, the name highlights the connection to the IBU – the International Biathlon Union, the sport’s global governing body and the driving force behind the Biathlon 4 All project. By blending Shiba and IBU, the name Shibu symbolises the fusion of cultural inspiration with the federation’s mission: to make biathlon more inclusive, accessible and engaging for people of all ages and abilities.

Shibu’s lively personality makes it the ideal ambassador to inspire both newcomers and seasoned fans to engage with biathlon. Whether cheering on participants at events, motivating children to try the sport, or highlighting the inclusive vision of the Biathlon 4 All project, Shibu helps make biathlon accessible, relatable and fun for all generations.

Spirit of openness and inclusivity

The Japanese origins of the Shiba Inu reflect the country’s unique conditions for the sport. With strict firearm regulations limiting the use of traditional rifles, organisers have embraced laser rifles for youth training and community events. This safer, more accessible approach opens the door for many more people to experience biathlon free from legal or safety barriers. Shibu, with its playful and approachable nature, perfectly captures this spirit of openness and inclusivity - showing that biathlon is not only for elite athletes but also for families, children, and newcomers eager to discover the sport in a fun and welcoming way.

A real symbol at IBU headquarters

Shibu isn’t just a symbol - at the IBU headquarters, a real dog owned by a staff member brings the mascot to life every day. This friendly companion embodies the same playful and welcoming spirit that Shibu represents, making the connection between the mascot and the biathlon community feel even more genuine and heartfelt.

A fun and safe entry into biathlon

Biathlon 4 All is an International Biathlon Union (IBU) development project launched in 2023 with the goal of making biathlon more popular and accessible to everyone. By providing National Federations with laser and optical rifle sets, targets, mats, and other equipment, the initiative helps create fun, safe, and inclusive opportunities for children and young athletes to experience the sport. Through close partnerships with National Federations, the IBU supports tailored programmes that encourage participation, recruitment, and growth at every level, including Olympic and Paralympic pathways. So far, 46 National Federations have benefitted from the project, receiving 645 rifle sets over three seasons.

Learn more at www.biathlon-4all.com