The IBU Executive Board (EB) today met in Bled, Slovenia during the IBU Biathlon World Championships to discuss a number of key subjects including upcoming competition calendars and additional National Federation financial support.

During the meeting, the EB agreed the allocation of the BMW IBU World Cup biathlon hosts for the 2022-2026 calendar as well as the allocation of the IBU Cups, Open European Championships, Junior Cups and the Youth and Junior World Championships for 2022-2024 (see below).

The World Cup calendar for 2021/2022 was also discussed. Due to the current situation in Belarus, the IBU Executive Board has decided to designate the status of the World Cup in Minsk-Raubichi in March 2022 as pending. The IBU EB will make a decision on whether to confirm or relocate the event at the latest by September 2021 based on the situation in Belarus and its outlook at that time.

As part of the IBU’s ongoing commitment to supporting the biathlon family overcome the current challenges caused by COVID-19, the EB also agreed to additional funding of €2 million for National Federations. The funding will be allocated based on participation this season, with 44 National Federations set to benefit. Half of the funds will be paid immediately with the remaining half paid by the end of March 2021 according to participation in the final trimester of the current season.

IBU President Olle Dahlin said:

“Our collective challenges are well-known but we have shown over the last 12 months, and particularly during this season, that we can overcome them when we work together. Our National Federations are critical in supporting our athletes and ensuring biathlon continues to progress in these difficult circumstances, and so we are delighted to provide additional funding that will greatly benefit their cause.

“Despite the current situation, biathlon has a huge amount to look forward to. The allocation of the World Cups and other biathlon events over the next four years demonstrated just how strong our sport is and how fortunate we are to have so many world-class hosts to partner with to grow and strengthen our sport’s global fan base.”

The EB reinforced the IBU’s commitment to promoting gender equality within the sport with the approval of the IBU Gender Equality Policy. The policy will help guide the federation and ensure that equal opportunity is at the heart of its work. Further details of the policy will be communicated in due course.

There were also discussions on the recent publication of the External Review Commission’s final report, especially its recommendations for the IBU. The EB setup a working group to guarantee that good governance is implemented on all levels of the biathlon family.

A number of important reports were also heard during the EB on subjects including: the implementation of Target 26, the Biathlon Integrity Unit, Development, Communications and Finance and Administration. The implications of the CAS’ decision in the arbitration of WADA vs RUSADA was also discussed.

+++ IBU Statement on Norwegian Government announcement concerning new Covid-19 restrictions ++++

We have been in very close contact with the Organising Committee and the National Federation over the last days and weeks to monitor the pandemic situation and understand the political developments in Norway. We are disappointed that our athletes cannot compete at Holmenkollen for the second year in a row but understand the government’s decision. During the whole season, the IBU has always pursued alternative scenarios for every World Cup stage to have options, if the Covid-19 situation requires. We will now evaluate these options and make further announcements on the host of the BMW IBU World Cup final 2020/2021 in due course.

Season 2022/2023

World Cup/WCH

26 Nov - 04 Dec Kontiolahti (FIN)05 Dec - 11 Dec Hochfilzen (AUT)12 Dec - 18 Dec Le Grand Bornand (FRA)02 Jan - 08 Jan Pokljuka (SLO)09 Jan - 15 Jan Ruhpolding (GER)16 Jan - 22 Jan Antholz (ITA)06 Feb - 19 Feb WCH Oberhof (GER)27 Feb - 05 Mar Nove Mesto (CZE)06 Mar - 12 Mar Östersund (SWE)13 Mar - 19 Mar Holmenkollen (NOR)

IBU Cup

21 Nov - 27 Nov Sjusjoen (NOR)28 Nov - 03 Dec Idre (SWE)12 Dec - 17 Dec Ridnaun (ITA)02 Jan - 08 Jan Osrblie (SVK)09 Jan - 14 Jan Arber (GER)23 Jan - 29 Jan OECH Lenzerheide (SUI)30 Jan - 04 Feb Obertilliach (AUT)20 Feb - 26 Feb Canmore (CAN)27 Feb - 04 Mar Canmore (CAN)

IBU Junior Cup

05 Dec - 11 Dec 2022 Martell (ITA)12 Dec - 17 Dec 2022 Obertilliach (AUT)06 Feb - 12 Feb Haanja (EST)13 Feb - 19 Feb JOECH Madona (LAT)04 Mar - 12 Mar YJWCH Schuchinsk (KAZ)

Season 2023/2024

World Cup/WCH

25 Nov - 03 Dec Östersund (SWE)04 Dec - 10 Dec Hochfilzen (AUT)11 Dec - 17 Dec Lenzerheide (SUI)01 Jan - 07 Jan Oberhof (GER)08 Jan - 14 Jan Ruhpolding (GER)15 Jan - 21 Jan Antholz (ITA)05 Feb - 18 Feb WCH Nove Mesto (CZE)26 Feb - 03 Mar Holmenkollen (NOR)04 Mar - 10 Mar Soldier Hollow (USA)11 Mar - 17 Mar Canmore (CAN)

IBU Cup

27 Nov - 03 Dec Kontiolahti (FIN)04 Dec - 10 Dec Idre (SWE)11 Dec – 17 Dec Sjusjoen (NOR)01 Jan - 07 Jan Martell (ITA)08 Jan - 13 Jan Ridnaun (ITA)29 Jan - 04 Feb OECH Osrblie (SVK)05 Feb - 10 Feb Arber (GER)02 Mar - 10 Mar Obertilliach (AUT)

IBU Junior Cup

04 Dec - 10 Dec Pokljuka (SLO)11 Dec - 17 Dec Ridnaun (ITA)15 Jan - 21 Jan Notschrei (GER)22 Jan – 28 Jan JOECH Jakuszyce (POL)19 Feb - 01 Mar Otepää (EST): YJWCHDepending evaluation by Technical Committee

Season 2024/2025

World Cup/WCH

30 Nov - 08 Dec Kontiolahti (FIN)09 Dec - 15 Dec Hochfilzen (AUT)16 Dec - 22 Dec Le Grand Bornand (FRA)06 Jan - 12 Jan Oberhof (GER)13 Jan - 19 Jan Ruhpolding (GER)20 Jan - 26 Jan Antholz (ITA)10 Feb - 23 Feb WCH Lenzerheide (SUI)03 Mar - 09 Mar Nove Mesto (CZE)10 Mar - 16 Mar Pokljuka (SLO)17 Mar - 23 Mar Holmenkollen (NOR)

IBU Cup & IBU Junior Cup

Events will be allocated in fall 2022

Season 2025/2026

World Cup/WCH

29 Nov - 07 Dec Östersund (SWE)08 Dec - 14 Dec Hochfilzen (AUT)15 Dec - 21 Dec Le Grand Bornand (FRA)05 Jan - 11 Jan Oberhof (GER)12 Jan - 18 Jan Ruhpolding (GER)19 Jan - 25 Jan Nove Mesto (CZE)06 Feb - 22 Feb OWG 2026 Antholz (ITA)02 Mar - 08 Mar WCH Test 202709 Mar - 15 Mar Otepää (EST)16 Mar - 22 Mar Holmenkollen (NOR)

IBU Cup & IBU Junior Cup

Events will be allocated in fall 2022