ibu– the road to PYeongchang 2018

With less than a month to go until the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, each International Federation taking part will have a different vision for how the Olympics can shape the future of its sport. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) will oversee 12 different events in PyeongChang, including sprint, pursuit, individual and relay disciplines.

We spoke to IBU Secretary General Nicole Resch about the future of the Federation, and working with the Organising Committee and the IBU’s latest initiatives and developments.

What are you most looking forward to at PyeongChang 2018?

It feels very exciting for the Winter Olympic Games to return to Asia after 20years and for the first time since Nagano 1998. At the IBU we believe this gives the world of sport and the sport of biathlon a new dimension as well as the opportunity to grow our sport in Asian markets which have not yet been fully explored but are becoming increasingly attracted to winter sports.

What have you learned working with the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee?

Overall, it has adopted a very professional approach and shown a readiness to solve any problem that might occur. There are many complex issues in the current global landscape, but the Organising Committee has managed these geo-strategical matters excellently.

What role do you see PyeongChang 2018 playing for the future of the IBU?

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games are the highlight of the 2017/2018 season for the IBU’s elite athletes. PyeongChang 2018 also represents a platform to build on the rise in the popularity of biathlon in South Korea and in Asia in general in the near future as there are more and more initiatives related to the winter sport springing up.

We have 12 different medals events which is the same as the previous Olympic Winter Games in 2014. The IBU will be monitoring the biathlon competitions and we are confident that it will be the achievements of the athletes on the world stage that are the most effective promotion for our sport.

Away from PyeongChang 2018, what initiatives has your Federation recently launched?

We operate IBU-IOC Development camps across the world which focus on teaching young athletes from developing countries, as well as their coaches, about the sport of biathlon. Training programmes at the camps differ according to levels and abilities of the participants, ranging from the most basic principles of biathlon to more detailed and specific information and advice.

The IBU is also in the process of revamping the anti-doping section of biathlonworld.com, to make it more interactive and easier for athletes to use. Finally, we have taken important and very exciting steps in the further development of our online gallery.

Photo Credit : IBU Archive