Sustainability integral to biathlon season opener

Combine large lakes, rivers and tall pine trees overlooking forest trails, and all you need is snow for the perfect winter sport setting. Luckily, Kontiolahti, Finland, has all these ingredients for the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup 2024/25 season opener this week.

World Cup events in Kontiolahti commit to the environment programme of the Finnish Biathlon Federation to preserve this setting and ensure the event’s future viability. The main objective of this programme is reducing the environmental strain of biathlon and acting more sustainably overall.

IBU World Cup events in Kontiolahti align with numerous national and international obligations, including the IBU Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030, Finland’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the EcoCompass Environmental Management Certificate.

Located in eastern Finland’s Karelia region, a free shuttle bus service from Joensuu city centre to Kontiolahti, 15km north of the city, is available on each competition day. Organisers included environmental criteria in the transport tendering processes to avoid unnecessary trips and reduce private car use.

The Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium, situated on a hill above Lake Höytiäinen, uses 100% renewable electricity. Snow on the course is produced of natural water from the lake, the stadium is decorated with reusable materials, and locally produced prizes are given in award ceremonies. Organisers also invest in forest conservation close to Joensuu to support natural diversity.

All collected waste on site is recycled, processed and reused locally, while eco-labelled chemicals are used for cleaning and sanitation. Food is served in biodegradable, plastic-free dishes, and the event’s catering contract ensures that leftovers are not wasted.

Organisers have educated volunteers to play a key role in supporting the event’s environmental ambitions and engaged local partners in the event’s responsibility goals.

“Kontiolahti is a leader among the IBU Organising Committees when it comes to implementing sustainability across event operations,” said Riikka Rakic, head of strategy, sustainability & governance at the IBU.

“They were the winner of the inaugural IBU Award for Excellence in Sustainability in 2022 for a good reason: the team has adopted a very comprehensive, well-structured approach to event sustainability, continuously finding ways to expand their efforts to further reduce their environmental impact and create positive legacies for the entire Biathlon Family.”