ISF and International Biathlon Union signed Memorandum of Understanding
Dec. 1, Lausanne, Switzerland – ISF and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and set up a roadmap to popularise the sport of biathlon at the school level worldwide by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The official meeting took place in Lausanne earlier this year during the IFs Forum. On behalf of the IBU, IBU President Olle Dahlin and Secretary General Max met with ISF President Željko Tanasković, Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi and Sport Director Marko Petrič.
By working together, IBU and ISF aim to encourage the practice of biathlon by school students of all genders and promote the use of school biathlon competitions as a development platform.
While the ISF will support the IBU in expanding the community of kids and bringing biathlon to schools through its network of National/Regional School Sports Federations, the IBU will use its expertise to organise school competitions of high international standards through the Biathlon 4 All project. In addition, both organisations will work together on educational programmes and activate membership collaboration.
Olle Dahlin emphasised the importance of this collaboration and the many strategic opportunities it offers: “Reaching schools and actively offering biathlon in school classes is one of the key objectives of the Biathlon 4 All project, which we launched in 2023 by supplying its National Federations with laser biathlon rifles, which makes it affordable and risk-free to try and practise biathlon. We are convinced that ISF, as an international governing body for school sports, will help us realise these objectives, while the IBU is keen on sharing its expertise to bring technical knowledge to the organisation of biathlon competitions at schools.”
Željko Tanasković elaborate on the long-term plans of the ISF and the benefits of this enhanced cooperation: “By collaborating with the IBU, we will take a key step to determine the structure, organisation, and execution of the school biathlon competitions. We will be able to expand the calendar and establish a new ISF Biathlon Competition. Moreover, thanks to the cooperation with the IBU, we will gain all the technical expertise for the running of biathlon events.”
Apart from their key mission to popularise biathlon among kids, both federations will work on further aspects of good governance in sports by joining the fight against all forms of racism in sport, promoting sustainability, as well as the principles of fair play and integrity. Moreover, workshops, seminars, and other educational events for technical officials and teachers, especially PE teachers, are foreseen to achieve both objectives
International Biathlon Union (IBU)
IBU is the international governing body of Biathlon, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The purpose and objectives of IBU are to govern, promote, and develop Biathlon worldwide by organising, conducting and presenting international events at the highest level.
Biathlon 4 All
Biathlon 4 All is an International Biathlon Union (IBU) development project launched in 2023 to make biathlon more popular and accessible to everyone. By providing National Federations with laser biathlon rifle sets, targets, mats, and other equipment, the initiative helps create fun, safe, and inclusive opportunities for children and young athletes to experience the sport. Through close partnerships with National Federations, the IBU supports tailored programmes that encourage participation, recruitment, and growth at every level, including Olympic and Paralympic pathways. So far, 46 National Federations have benefitted from the project, receiving 645 rifle sets over three seasons.
Learn more at www.biathlon-4all.com
