IBU Athlete Ambassador Programme
IBU Athlete Ambassador Programme
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS 2025 - 2027
In June 2025, the IBU and BIU announced the selection of nine Athlete Ambassadors for the 2025–2027 term. Representing seven countries, these athletes will serve as role models within the global biathlon community, using their platforms to inspire, educate, and drive meaningful change within the sport.
As Athlete Ambassadors, they will actively contribute to strengthening trust and integrity in biathlon, while promoting a culture rooted in sustainability, equality and fairness. This new term also reflects an important structural change: the topic of Gender Equality has been integrated into the broader area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within the Sustainability Ambassador group.
With their voices and dedication, the new ambassadors are ready to build on this work, support the values of the IBU and BIU, and help make biathlon a stronger and more inclusive sport for everyone. Five Athlete Ambassadors from the previous period will continue in the programme, bringing their experience and insights to create an even greater impact.
Athlete Ambassadors 2025-2027
Due to a limited amount of spots per area, the (new) IBU and BIU Athlete Ambassadors for 2023-2025 were chosen based on selection criteria provided upfront:
Sustainability (including DEI)
César Beauvais (BEL)
Maya Cloetens (BEL)
Oleksandra Merkushyna (UKR)
Lena Repinc (SLO)
Ukaleq Astri Slettemark (GRL)
Integrity
Chloe Levins (USA)
Pascale Paradis (CAN)
Lovro Planko (SLO)
Lena Repinc (SLO), a new Athlete Ambassador for Sustainability, said,
I am deeply committed to living a sustainable lifestyle. Without snow, there is no biathlon - so it is essential that we take action now to safeguard the future of our sport. I’ve observed that many athletes, and people in general, are not yet fully engaged with this issue. I hope to inspire them and demonstrate how small, accessible changes can make a real difference.
IBU and BIU introduce Athlete Ambassadors for 2025-2027
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS 2023 - 2025
In June 2023, the IBU and BIU announced the selection of the second cohort of Athlete Ambassadors for the 2023–2025 term. 14 biathletes from 12 different countries were chosen to help raise awareness, educate others, and support the development of biathlon in three key areas: sustainability, gender equality, and integrity. Nine ambassadors from the pilot year decided to extend their commitment for another two years, building on the knowledge and experience they had already gained.
Over the past two years, the IBU and BIU have implemented a wide range of impactful initiatives under the Athlete Ambassador Programme – from educational sessions and global campaigns to key speaking engagements. Previous ambassadors have participated in international conferences, served on IBU award juries, appeared on podcasts and delivered webinars on important issues such as environmental sustainability and mental health. These efforts underscore the programme’s unique potential to empower athletes to become advocates for a better, more responsible future – both within and beyond the biathlonfamily.
IBU Sustainability Ambassador, Maya Cloetens (BEL), said:
The IBU Ambassador Program offers a unique opportunity to gain insider knowledge on how the IBU addresses key topics such as sustainability, gender equality, and integrity. As an athlete, you can actively contribute by sharing ideas, getting involved in impactful projects, and deepening your understanding of these important areas. Be part of the change!
IBU and BIU introduce Athlete Ambassadors for 2023-2025
SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS 2023-2025
The Sustainability Athlete Ambassador group consisted of five athletes namely Thierry Langer (BEL), Jules Burnotte (CAN), Maya Cloetens (BEL), Ukaleq Slettemark (GRL) and Jacques Jefferies (FRA)
Activities of the Sustainability Ambassadors:
World Earth Day 2025: Watch a video of Jules skiing 250 km from Sherbrooke to Quebec City to chase a lifelong dream - and raise awareness about the growing threat of climate change on our winters
IBU Cookbook 2024: Check out delicious vegeterian recipes provided by Jules and Maya
IBU Sustainability Awards 2023 & 2024: Thierry, Ukaleq and Jacques have been part of the expert jury and helped spotlight outstanding sustainability efforts in the biathlon community.
GSSport24 Conference: Read an article about Ukaleq participating in a panel discussion to highlight the critical role athletes play in promoting sustainability within sports
EOC Seminar in Montenegro: Read an article about Jacques speaking for change
World Earth Day 2024: Read an article about Ukaleq and her life in Greenland
Unconscious bias webinar 2024: Uiloq participated in two consecutive Unconscious bias webinars organized mainly for IBU Staff and NF (male) leadership
IBU Athlete Webinar 2023: Jacques participating in a session related to mental health
GENDER EQUALITY AMBASSADORS 2023-2025
The Gender Equality Athlete Ambassador group consisted of three athletes namely Alla Ghilenko (MDA), Kelsey Dickinson (USA), Titus Clark (GBR) and Regina Ermits (EST)
Activities of the Gender Equality Ambassadors:
IBU NF Gender Equality Award 2024: Kelsey has been part of the expert jury and helped spotlight outstanding Gender Equality efforts in the biathlon community.
Athlete Portrayal survey: The Ambassador group worked together with the IBU on a portrayal survey that has been issued among athletes in 2024
International Women´s Day 2025: The Ambassador Group was running a campaign that highlights women behind the scenes in biathlon and thank them for their engagement
Mentorship programme 2023/2024: The Ambassador group attended several webinars organized within the "Gamer Changers" Mentorship programme featuring former female biathletes
INTEGRITY AMBASSADORS 2023-2025
The Integrity Athlete Ambassador group consisted of five athletes namely Julian Eberhard (AUT), Sebastian Samuelsson (SWE), Anastasiya Merkushyna (UKR), Chloe Levins (USA) and Lovro Planko (SLO)
Lovro Planko reflecting on the past two years:
I joined the programme because I wanted to shine some light onto how important it is that the rules are followed. Fair play and clean sport is the only acceptable way and the only right way to compete.
Activities from the Integrity Ambassadors:
Why the athletes joined the programme: Watch the video of all Ambassadors
Podcast on Good Whereabouts Habits: Listen to the podcast with Chloe
Summer campaign 2024: “Remain True to yourself” initiatives with the Ambassadors on Instagram
Safeguarding podcast: Listen to the podcast with Anastasiya
Antidoping Podcast: Listen to the podcast with Anastasiya
Athletes Outreach: Julian joined this initiative at World Cup in Hochfilzen in December 2023
New season preparation podcast: Listen to the podcast with Chloe
Summer campaign 2023: "Summer of respect” campaign with the Ambassadors
Meet BIU Ambassador Lovro Planko Podcast: Listen to the podcast with Lovro
Former athlete podcast: Listen to the podcast with Julian sharing insights from his life after the sport career
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS 2021 - 2023
In June 2021, the IBU launched its Pilot Athlete Ambassador programme. 18 biathletes representing 15 different countries have become Athlete Ambassadors to help raise awareness, educate, and support the aims of Biathlon in three key areas of development: Sustainability, Gender Equality and Integrity.
Looking back at those two years, the IBU has facilitated several initiatives ranging from educational sessions and workshops to seminars and conferences, have been key to raising awareness and educating the ambassadors about the strategies and action plans of the IBU. They have also been part of various communication campaigns and have actively participated in meetings and events like the IBSF-IBU Gender Equity Forum or the Sustainability Seminar in Oberhof during the World Championships 2023.
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS - SUSTAINABILITY
The Sustainability Athlete Ambassador group consisted of seven athletes namely Jules Burnotte (CAN), Alla Ghilenko (MDA), Anika Kozika (CRO), Thierry Langer (BEL), Isabella Moon (AUS), Mirlene Picin (BRA) and Adam Runnalls (CAN).
Jules Burnotte (CAN), said about the programme:
The ambassador program was a good way as an athlete to hear more about what the IBU is doing, and an opportunity to develop certain project ideas.
In those first two years, we were mostly building the role, getting education and practicing communication skills, but now for what is to come, the ambassadors will be able to take on some interesting projects!
Highlights from the Pilot Ambassador Programme:
Sustainability Seminar Oberhof 2023: Adam and Thierry participated as speakers in the panel discussion
Athlete Sustainability Survey 2021: With the help of the Athlete Ambassadors an Athlete Sustainability Survey has been conducted
Biathlon Climate Challenges 2021 & 2022: Jules joined both Biathlon Climate Challenge motivating fans worldwide to get active and plant trees
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS - GENDER EQUALITY
The Gender Equality Athlete Ambassador group consisted of six athletes namely Susan Dunklee (USA), Jessica Jislová (CZE), Regina Ermits (EST), Kelsey Dickinson (USA), Titus Clark (GBR) and Thomas Bormolini (ITA).
Kelsey Dickinson (USA) summarized the Pilot Ambassador Programme, saying,
The IBU Athlete Ambassador Program was an amazing opportunity to be more connected and involved within the Biathlon Family. We collaborated on projects to educate and inform all stakeholders in the IBU to create positive change.
Highlights from the Pilot Ambassador Programme:
IBSF-IBU Gender Equity Forum 2022: Titus and Kelsey had a speech during the Forum while Regina, Susan and Alla attended the Forum as guests
Breaking boundaries campaign: The Ambassador group helped with building the idea of an ongoing campaign to portray inspiring and self-confident women working in different job positions within the biathlon family
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS - INTEGRITY MATTERS
The Integrity Athlete Ambassador group consisted of three athletes namely Julian Eberhard (AUT), Anastasiya Merkushyna (UKR) and Sebastian Samuelsson (SWE).
Sebastian Samuelsson (SWE) shared his thoughts on the program, saying,
The IBU Ambassador program has been a great experience, both when it comes to raising important topics but also with the education that has been offered within the program.
Highlights from the Pilot Ambassador Programme:
Summer campaign 2022: "Remain true to yourself" - cooperate initiatives with the Ambassadors
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