The project is dedicated to the development of National Federations (NFs) and aims to support them with practical and theoretical knowledge and training through the organisation of training camps, which are delivered with the assistance of IBU experienced Coaches. In order to be able to participate in the programme, NFs must prove that they have a stable federation structure and that they conduct national biathlon championships. The camps can be attended by athletes aged 15 to 21. The project is supported by the IOC IF development programme.
The IBU as a responsible federation, through the IBU IOC training camps, supports developing NFs with practical and theoretical knowledge about sport and biathlon theory and practical training letting the Athletes and Coaches improve their skills and competence for future participation in the international level competitions. The main objectives are:
Promotion of human resources in the host country
Follow-up to previous Oceanic, South American, Asian and European biathlon federation seminars for coaches and athletes
Promotion of diversity and gender equality in sport
Promotion of youth participation in biathlon
Maintenance and improvement of the structure of the international training camps, taking into consideration the option of changing the hosting venue (mid-term planning) in some regions every other year to include more NFs in total
Providing IBU-IOC assistance for national guidance and legacy in the respective hosting countries on the targeted continents
Providing a combination of theory and practice in biathlon sport coaching as well as delivering organizational skills and guidance
In 2025 the IBU is offering two IBU-IOC Camps and an IBU IOC International Youth Camp that is run in collaboration with OC Arber a Youth and Junior World Championships 2026 organiser.
The IBU aims to support NFs from B,C&D development categories. Each invited NF may send a maximum of 4 athletes + 1 coach for the summer camp (2 female and 2 male athlete) and 4 athletes + 1 coach for the winter camp (2 female and 2 male athletes). The costs for accommodation incl. catering for all participants of the camps and travel contribution is covered by the IBU with Olympic Solidarity funds support.
The applications for the Camps are open from 01 April 2025 in IBU Scope
Summer Camp and Para Camp: Lillehammer, NOR 29 Jun to 5 July 2025.
NF participants from C&D: 1 NF Coach + 4 athletes (2 male, 2 female)
Para Biathlon: 1 NF Coach + 2 athletes (+Guide(s) as applicable)
International Youth Camp and Para Camp: Arber, GER 27Sep to 4 OCT 2025.
NF participants from B, C&D: 1 NF Coach + 4 athletes (2 male, 2 female)
Para Biathlon: 1 NF Coach + 2 athletes (+Guide(s) as applicable)
Winter Camp GOMS 1 to 7 DEC 2025.
NF participants from C&D: 1 NF Coach + 4 athletes (2 male, 2 female)
Due to the ongoing difficulties with COVID-19, the IBU organized in 2021 two overall in-person camps with similar preventive measures as in the previous winter season.
In 2020, the IBU-IOC Virtual Camps were organized from 19 October until 29 November 2020, covering three weeks of online sessions focused on the development of coaches and athletes. During this unique educational experience in small regional groups, coaches learned and broadened their knowledge in the principles of training plans while working with athletes on the national level.
IBU-IOC Virtual Camps 2020 SummaryIlario Maddalin - Development Camps Project Coordinator ilario.maddalin@ibu.at
Dagmara Gerasimuk - Development Director dagmara.gerasimuk@ibu.at