The Norwegian biathlon legend may be the next president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU). The news is met with enthusiasm in Russia.

As the current president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), Olle Dahlin, steps down after eight years this year, Ole Einar Bjørndalen could be his successor. The Norwegian biathlon legend has confirmed that he has been approached about running for the position. 

“Many national federations have come to me and asked if I would be interested. There have been concrete inquiries,” Bjørndalen told Dagbladet.

The rules for the IBU presidential election state that individuals cannot nominate themselves but must be nominated by one or more member countries. 

Bjørndalen has not disclosed which countries support him. The 52-year-old is married to former biathlon star Darya Domracheva from Belarus. However, he states that it is not Belarus that has asked him to run. The country has been banned from the IBU along with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

“It is European countries, not Eastern European,” he said.

According to several media outlets, Slovenia’s Tim Farčnik is the favorite for the position. 

Aiming to expand and develop the sport

For Bjørndalen, the opportunity to develop biathlon is what motivates him to pursue this prestigious role. 

“To develop biathlon in the best possible direction and maximize the capacity and value of international biathlon,” he said. 

Russians celebrate

In Russia, the news of Bjørndalen’s potential candidacy is met with joy. 

Former biathlon talent Dmitry Vasiliev is convinced that the Norwegian will work to reintegrate Russia and Belarus into international biathlon. 

“Bjørndalen wants to run for IBU president. This is an important and positive development for Russia and Belarus,” Vasiliev told Russian media.

Bjørndalen himself does not place much significance on these statements. 

“I don’t think much about that. But I have never received an inquiry from Russia or Belarus,” he said. 

A remarkable career

Ole Einar Bjørndalen won 14 Olympic medals (including eight gold) and 45 World Championship medals (including 20 gold) during his exceptionally long career.  

Over his 26 years on the World Cup circuit, he won the overall World Cup six times and claimed 20 small crystal globes for victories in various sub-cups. 

Bjørndalen competed in 582 World Cup races in biathlon and 20 in cross-country skiing. He achieved 95 individual World Cup victories in biathlon – or 136 including relays – and one in cross-country skiing.  

He stood on the World Cup podium individually 179 times in biathlon and three times in cross-country skiing, along with an additional 80 times in biathlon relays and twice in cross-country skiing relays. 

Ole Einar Bjørndalen has also received numerous other accolades, including the Egebergs Ærespris (2002) and the Holmenkollmedaljen (2011). 

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