IBU nominated for BBC Green Sports Award

The GAMES project was mentioned on the BBC Sports website as the IBU is nominated in the ‘Elite Organisation of the Year’ category of the BBC Green Sports Awards

The IBU has been recognised for its sustainability work in the second edition of the annual BBC Green Sports Awards. Nominated in the ‘Elite Organisation of the Year’ category, winners will be announced on the BBC Sport website and app on Monday 2 October.

BBC Sport writes that ‘The world governing body of biathlon was nominated for its continued commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, as well as projects including becoming a founding member of an alliance supporting a prototype project to reuse carbon fibres, and joining GAMES (Green Approaches in Management for Enhancing Sports), an initiative which explores ways to mitigate climate change and promote de-carbonisation in events.’

Elsewhere, the IBU Executive Board (EB) met in Antholz – biathlon’s home for the Olympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026 – on 7-8 September to receive updates and discuss key projects that will continue to drive biathlon forward.

IBU President Olle Dahlin, EB Members and IBU Secretary General Max Cobb delivered reports at the meeting to the President and Secretary General reflecting on their recent trip to Ukraine, reinforcing the IBU’s support for the country’s biathlon community.

A report was also provided on the strategic process to transition IBU’s strategic plan ‘Target 26’ into ‘Target 2030’. Since the IBU Congress in September 2022, the IBU has held seven regional workshops to gather feedback from all National Federations and better understand their challenges and aspirations. 

Building on the outcomes of these meetings, due diligence and further analysis is being conducted to develop an elaborated Target 2030, building on Target 26 with achievable 2030 objectives. IBU stakeholders will be involved over the next year with the final plan presented for the IBU Congress 2024 to approve.

An update was provided for the EB gathering in Antholz on the ‘Biathlon for All’ campaign, which, under Target 2030, has been designed to increase participation in biathlon, contributing to the overall 2030 objectives. The project will aim to inspire and encourage young people to practice biathlon by providing them with sustainable and safe equipment, as well as a toolkit of socially positive activities. National Federations that applied will receive laser and optical rifle equipment from the IBU to deliver their approved action plansto recruit and train youths and children. The EB approved the grants to fund the project for 2023/2024.

The EB also visited the Antholz Biathlon stadium and received an update on the re-construction that began recently at the Olympic biathlon venue to modernise the facilities and enhance the courses for the 2026 Games, ensuring the best possible stage for Olympic competition.