The IBU introduced a new rule last summer allowing additional quota for nations which have athletes in the top 15 of the BMW IBU World Cup Total Score to make sure all top athletes are represented in the competitions at the BMW IBU World Championships Biathlon.

New rule 12.6.1.1.1.b of the Event and Competition Rules says “NFs with athletes ranked in current top 15 World Cup Total Score has a right to enter those competitors, however, the NF´s quota for Sprint, Individual may not exceed five (5) per National Federation.”

This can be amended to six starters per NF because of the defending champion rules (same rule, section c): “Additionally, the NFs of the Individual, Sprint, Pursuit and Mass Start champions of the last WCH may enter those competitors at the WCH Individual, Sprint and Mass Start competitions respectively, in addition to their NF’s quota. The Pursuit Champion of the last WCH may enter additionally in the Sprint competition, however, the NF’s quota for the Sprint competition may not exceed six (6) per NF. Addition: This applies also extraordinarily and only at the WCH 2023 for the champions of the OWG 2022 (changing year).”

For the Sprint competitions, this affects the start quota of the following nations:

Men:

FRA 6

NOR 6

SWE 6

GER 5

ITA 5

SUI 5

CZE 5

Women:

NOR 6

FRA 5

SWE 5

GER 5

AUT 5

CZE 5

ITA 5

SVK 5