The IBU is promoting the sustainable development of biathlon through various projects. Experts from two such initiatives are attending the Kontiolahti Biathlon World Cup season opener.
The GAMES project aims to enhance event organizers' climate awareness and increase measures to reduce environmental impacts across sports events. In addition to the IBU, participants include the World Athletics (WA), the International Floorball Federation (IFF), and the Swedish Floorball Federation (SFF).
The BENCHES project focuses on highlighting the impact of sports on biodiversity. It is developing a methodology for assessing the effects of sports on biodiversity. Participants include the IBU, World Athletics, World Sailing, the Portuguese football club SL Benfica, and the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation.
The projects are coordinated by the Italian Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, with communications managed by the UK-based Touchline agency. Both projects are co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ program.
In Kontiolahti, a video for the GAMES project was filmed to showcase the importance of sustainability efforts in biathlon World Cup events from the perspectives of both event organizers and athletes.
The video also featured interviews with athletes, including Jaakko Ranta, who has researched the environmental impacts of biathlon stadiums for his thesis.
BENCHES project experts visited the event area, conducting interviews with the event organization. Their findings will contribute to a report and recommendations on incorporating biodiversity considerations into operations.
Further information on the projects:
Contact:
Sari Jormanainen, Environmental Manager, IBU World Cup Kontiolahti
sari.jormanainen@kontiolahti.fi
