Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is confident in Belarus’ ability to host top sport competitions at a high level, IBU President Anders Besseberg said as he met with First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov on 14 January, BelTA learnt from the NOC press service.

The head of the International Biathlon Union expressed gratitude to President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko for the proposal to use more actively the Raubichi National Olympic Training Center in hosting international competitions of different level, including the IBU World Cup events. Words of special gratitude were also expressed to Belarus’ readiness to host any of the IBU tournaments in case of emergency.

This position and a series of concrete proposals to strengthen cooperation in the implementation of joint initiatives have been described in a special address that Anders Besseberg handed over to Maxim Ryzhenkov for President of the Belarusian NOC Alexander Lukashenko. Anders Besseberg praised the level of biathlon competitions that were held in Raubichi before.

The IBU President himself attended the world and European championships that Raubichi hosted before its makeover. “IBU specialists that attended the 2015 IBU Youth/Junior World Championships and the Legend Race – Biathlon Stars for Peace prepared reports in which they hailed the tournaments held in Belarus. We have no doubts that if we trust top sport competitions to Raubichi they will be held at the highest level possible. In this respect we expect a corresponding application from the Belarusian Biathlon Federation to host such competitions,” noted Anders Besseberg.

Maxim Ryzhenkov assured the IBU President that Belarus would support any initiatives to host different tournaments as well as the organization of congresses and meetings of the IBU commissions.

Vice President of the Belarusian Biathlon Federation Igor Busko underlined the importance of implementing IBU programs, including children’s and youth sport. This area will be high on the agenda of the work of the national federation. He also invited the IBU representatives to pay a visit to Belarus in 2016.