IBU presents 2024 Awards in Sustainability, Gender Equality and Social Media

The 16th Ordinary IBU Congress in Belgrade/SRB saw the presentation of the IBU Awards for the 2024 season during a special Awards Night. For the first time, the IBU Awards included recognition for excellence in Gender Equality by member national federations (NFs), and in Social Media by both NFs and athletes. Launched in 2022, the IBU Sustainability Award for organising committees (OCs) has been expanded to include the NFs’ efforts to implement and promote sustainable practices.

The goal of the IBU Awards is to honour concrete actions by members of the global Biathlon Family to help realise the IBU’s overall strategic objectives outlined in the new Target 2030 plan, such as extending the sport’s reach, reducing its climate impact and implementing good governance.

The winners of the IBU Awards 2024 are:

NF Award for Excellence in Sustainability

German Ski Federation / DSV

– For implementing climate-friendly heating solutions for temporary infrastructure at their World Cup events that replaced diesel-aggregates with pellets

OC Award for Excellence in Sustainability

Organising Committee for the Oslo-Holmenkollen World Cup, Norway

– For implementing concrete actions that translated to direct CO2 emission reductions, such as using foldable waxing cabins and switching to renewable electrical power for their tent infrastructure

NF Award for Excellence in Gender Equality

Finnish Biathlon Association

– For delivering a successful strategic programme to enhance female participation in coach and referee education through remote and free-of-charge courses

NF Award for Excellence in Social Media

Slovak Biathlon Association

– For their campaign featuring junior athlete Ema Kapustova's journey from her surprise World Cup debut to a strong finish at the Youth Junior World Championships 2024 in Otepää. The campaign successfully mixed multiple storytelling formats, such as videos, images and even comic strips, showcasing success stories beyond the podium.

Athlete Award for Excellence in Social Media

Lea Meier, SUI

– For her successful short video submission that provided a creative switch-up from standard training videos with smart camera angles, changing speeds and weights, allowing even non-biathlon fans a glimpse into the challenges of hitting the target in tricky conditions.

Additionally, the Norwegian Biathlon Association and the Organising Committee for the Lenzerheide World Cup in Switzerland received a Special Recognition for their efforts to promote sustainable mobility for teams and fans, respectively.

The nominations were judged by separate external expert juries for each Award class. The Award winners receive a trophy and a prize money cheque worth €10’000 in the NF and OC categories, and €5’000 in the athlete category.

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