The president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) is unequivocal about Russia’s return despite the IOC’s new decisions.

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is not changing its position. 

Despite the recent changes to the Olympic Charter, approved by the IOC, which many believe could pave the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions, IBU President Olle Dahlin confirms that the International Biathlon Union has no plans to reverse its stance.

In an interview with Finnish public broadcaster Yle, Dahlin stated that the IOC’s decision did not come as a surprise.

“The IOC’s position has been known. It has now simply been updated into the Olympic Charter,” Dahlin said.

“The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict,” the IOC wrote in a press release earlier this spring.

No basis for change

Russia and Belarus have been banned from all IBU competitions since February 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine. More than four years later, the IBU president believes the conditions for changing that decision are not present.

“We have a congress decision on the competition ban from 2022. Nothing has changed since then. So I don’t see that we have reason to change our position,” Dahlin stated.

Dahlin further mentioned that if the IOC were to decide to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympics, contrary to the decisions of the international federations, the IBU would consider its own measures to defend its independence. He did not elaborate on what specific measures might entail.

“The IOC has so far respected the independent decisions of international federations. There can be disagreements. But we intend to operate as an independent federation, so that [some form of response] is possible.”

Showing support for Ukraine

In recent months, Dahlin has also sought to demonstrate the IBU’s support for Ukraine in practice. 

At the end of March, he traveled to the country to present the silver medals from the 2011 World Championships to the Ukrainian biathletes on the relay team, “promoted” after Russia was disqualified in the doping case against Yevgeny Ustyugov.

The ceremony, which was postponed for over fifteen years due to lengthy legal processes against the former Russian athlete, has gained significant symbolic value. The three former biathletes who received the medals have all fought at the front, and one of them was unable to attend. 

“It was emotional to hear about the reality they are living in,” Dahlin said.

This could make IBU reconsider

Finally, the president emphasized that the only condition for reconsidering the IBU’s position is that Russia ends its military actions against Ukraine.

“I have told the Russians and the IOC that we are a federation made up of member nations and that, as president, I represent the federation’s position. Things must change, and we hope that there will be a change in the basis for our decision,” Dahlin concluded.

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