The IBU was welcomed as a new member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) family on Thursday 28 September during the 2023 IPC General Assembly in Manama, Bahrain.

IBU’s admission into the IPC follows the International Federation taking over the governance of Para biathlon in July 2022. Para biathlon is managed by the IBU in cooperation with the International Ski Federation (FIS). The IBU supports with technical knowledge of Biathlon and helps to further develop and improve the competition structure from low-level events through to World Cup and World Championships.

As a result of this initiative, the first stand-alone Para Biathlon World Championships under IBU’s governance will be held next March in Price George, BC, Canada.

Speaking on the IBU’s entry into the IPC, IBU President Olle Dahlin said:

“We are thrilled to join the Paralympic Movement and wider Para sports family. At the same time, we welcome Para biathlon into the IBU family. We are one sport, and we are proud that now Para biathletes and biathletes are side by side within the IBU.

“We will work closely with the IPC and the Para biathlon family to build on all the progress to date and ensure we deliver further improvements through sport technical expertise, event enhancement and empowered National Federations. We are committed to providing a stage that our great Para biathletes deserve.”

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will mark the first Paralympic Games in which Para Biathlon competitions are held under the IBU’s governance. Para biathlon will account for 18 medal events (9 male and 9 female) and a maximum of 180 athletes will compete. The athlete quota for Para biathlon is shared with Para Cross-Country Skiing. The IBU is working together with the IPC and FIS to draft the qualification criteria which will be published in early 2024. FIS was welcomed into the IPC family alongside IBU during the 2023 IPC General Assembly.

Photo: IPC