BIU handles integrity matters at IBU Para Biathlon World Championships
The Biathlon Integrity Unit is taking responsibility for all integrity-related matters, including the Anti-Doping Programme, at this month’s IBU Para Biathlon World Championships.
The move follows the International Biathlon Union’s decision to take over the organisation and governance of all Para Biathlon World Cup and World Championships events from this season onwards.
Anti-doping testing is being carried out on behalf of the BIU by SLOADO, the Slovenian anti-doping agency.
SLOADO is experienced in testing para-athletes, and the existing doping control station at the venue in Pokljuka is suitably adapted for the needs of para athletes.
In view of its responsibilities towards prevention and education, the BIU is also hosting a live education session for athletes. Topics include an anti-doping session, delivered in cooperation with SLOADO, and a general introduction to the BIU.
The first-ever IBU Para Biathlon World Championships, featuring 90 athletes from 16 countries, is taking place in Pokljuka, Slovenia on 6 to 9 February.
Following the transfer of governance for para biathlon from the International Paralympic Committee to the IBU in July 2022, the IBU became a full member of the IPC in September 2023.
BIU supports IBU in Safe Harbour safeguarding project
The International Biathlon Union, supported by the Biathlon Integrity Unit, is one of just two international sports federations taking part in Safe Harbour, a collaborative project aimed at strengthening the response mechanism for safeguarding in European sports.
The project officially began on 1 January, with its initial meeting taking place on 28 and 29 January in Brussels. The meeting was set to provide an opportunity to define roles and responsibilities, strengthen collaboration, and set the stage for the project’s initial activities.
Other participants include the International Ice Hockey Federation and 20 European National Olympic Committees, and the project is being co-ordinated by the European Olympic Committees.
Running until June 2027, Safe Harbour aims to enhance safeguarding measures across European sports, encouraging a safer environment for all. Together, the participants will map existing safeguarding practices, identify service gaps, and develop a European response framework to guide safeguarding initiatives across the continent.
Additionally, the participants will create national strategies tailored to the needs of partner countries, providing effective approaches to address safeguarding challenges and offering specialised training programmes to build capacity and expertise.
A major milestone of the project will be the establishment of the European Network for Safeguarding in Sport (ENSS). This online platform will serve as a hub to promote collaboration, share best practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability of safeguarding efforts in European sports.
A series of National Multiplier Events will be organised to raise awareness and share knowledge with a broad range of stakeholders beyond the participants, further amplifying the project’s reach and impact.
The Safe Harbour project is a Cooperation Partnership co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Programme 2024.
Participation in the project builds on the BIU’s existing commitment to safeguarding, which has included webinars, podcast interviews and outreaches at IBU events.
Greg McKenna, Head of BIU states after the meeting in Brussels: “I was pleased to attend the Safe Harbour project’s inaugural meeting and to see such strong cooperation between international and national sporting organisations. There is a clear and collective commitment to raising the level of safe sport across the European Union. In cooperation with the International Biathlon Union, BIU remains dedicated to strengthening safeguarding measures, and we look forward to contributing to this important initiative alongside our partners.”
Visit us at our outreach stand in 2025!
Here at our headquarters in Salzburg it’s time to prepare for our BIU outreach sessions, taking place at targeted IBU events in 2025.
The aim of our outreaches is to create awareness of integrity issues among athletes and their entourages and to educate them to make the right choices when confronted with those issues or temptations.
These can include doping, competition manipulation, physical or mental abuse or any other integrity challenges.
Also, and just as importantly, it’s a chance for us to show our faces, to engage directly with athletes and team members, hear their concerns and answer their questions.
You might have already seen and engaged with us at our stand at past events. So how do we decide where and when and how to conduct each of our outreaches?
· Ahead of the start of the season we review dates and venues to identify the most appropriate places and points in the season to conduct outreaches and education sessions. Typically, these occur during IBU Junior Cup and IBU Cup competitions, but this season we will also attend two IBU World Cups and the IBU Para World Championships (see below)
· Next, we consult with the event’s organising committee to agree where and when to position our stand, usually on a non-competition day.
· Similarly, we contact the relevant National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) to ensure that we align and/or cooperate with its planned activities at the event. Sometimes, the NADO will take over conducting the stand – you might have seen this last season in Pokljuka with SLOADO.
· We decide on suitable topics for the chosen target group (often these revolve around Anti-Doping and Safeguarding generally, but sometimes they are more specific or current, such as summer 2023’s topic, ‘Respect’).
· We devise educational and fun activities, which we hope will make our messages more memorable. In the past these have included quizzes, photos and a ‘Wheel of Fortune’. Prizes for taking part in these activities have included buffs and travel towels.
· Finally, we organise transport for our equipment to and from the events.
For the rest of this season, we’re planning to organise outreaches at the following IBU events:
· World Cup in Antholz, 23-24 January
· IBU Cup in Ridnaun, 6-7 February
· World Cup in Pokljuka, 14-15 March (in cooperation with SLOADO)
· Para World Championships in Pokljuka, 7 February (in cooperation with SLOADO)
The BIU’s outreaches are part of our mission to protect the integrity of biathlon and ensure that your sport remains fair, clean and trusted.
We thank all the athletes and other team members who have been to our outreach stand in the past, and invite you to visit us at the events listed above in the coming season. You’ll receive a warm welcome!
Katharina Gatterer is the BIU’s Safeguarding & Education Officer
Mental Health as a Top Priority
An initial meeting of a newly-established Mental Health Working Group was held on 20 January, as part of an initiative by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) to prioritise mental health in athletes, coaches, and support teams.
Good mental health is essential for both wellbeing and performance, and in recognition of the links between mental health, integrity and good governance. The BIU aims to address these challenges in a proactive, integrated manner.
A very experienced group has been formed to address the topic, consisting of:·
· Greg McKenna, Head of BIU
· Lucie Rothauer, Prevention Manager, BIU
· Dagmara Gerasimuk, Development Director, IBU
· Daniel Böhm, Sport Director, IBU
· Anna Kitzbichler, Education Manager, IBU
· Nathalie Santner, Board Member, IBU
· Jessica Jislova, athlete representative
· Katja Mjösund, Member of IBU Medical Advisory Group and sports physician
· Marie-Laure Brunet, external expert, former athlete and now a coach
· Alan Currie, external expert and psychiatrist with significant experience in mental health support to athletes
The working group aims to meet every two months until November, to work on potential pathways not only to enhance mental health services in the sport, but also to promote overall wellbeing throughout the biathlon community.
The programme will be adapted according to the needs of biathlon, reflecting the specificities of an endurance and individual sport.
If you, or anyone you know in the biathlon family, is affected by these issues, you can contact the BIU in confidence at:
The BIU’s good governance project
Good governance is crucial in any organisation, ensuring that transparency, accountability, efficient decision-making and other important ethical and integrity issues are properly considered and integrated into the way the organisation is run.
The BIU has launched a new governance project, with the aim of enhancing governance standards throughout biathlon’s National Federations (NFs). The project involves:
- assessing current governance practices within NFs
- developing a comprehensive governance framework for NFs, including:
- core governance principles
- ethical standards
- compliance guidelines.
Good governance helps NFs act in the best interests of all their stakeholders, beginning with athletes and the sport itself. By demonstrating that an NF is well-run, performance can increase, and financial results improve. Good governance can result in increased revenue and maximise attractiveness to commercial partners.
By implementing good governance principles, trust from athletes, as well as other stakeholders and partners, can be increased.
Taking the lead
The BIU is here to help NFs in defining their good governance goals and support them as they are implemented. As part of these plans, each NF will be asked to nominate a staff member or volunteer to lead on governance matters. This individual can be an existing team member whose responsibilities will expand to include working with the BIU to implement good governance.
This project will be led by the BIU’s new team member Julia Cook, our Governance Coordinator. Julia joins us from the ITA education team and has also recently completed a research project on sports ethics and integrity.
Each NF’s governance contact will work with Julia and the BIU, receiving materials and the continuing support required to enhance organisational governance standards across biathlon.
We welcome feedback on both this project and what good governance means to you.
Building integrity through collaboration
At the BIU, our mission is to safeguard the values and spirit of biathlon, ensuring fair play and transparency across all aspects of the sport. Central to this mission is our commitment to innovation, learning, and collaboration. Over the past years, our partnership with the MAISi (Master of Arts in Integrity Studies) and now DAISi (Doctoral Action in Integrity Studies) programmes has been a testament to these principles, bringing immense value to the BIU and the sport of biathlon.
The collaboration with MAISi and DAISi has allowed us to welcome talented interns who bring fresh perspectives and deep academic expertise to our team. These individuals have enriched our understanding of emerging threats to integrity in sport, ranging from technological challenges to evolving ethical concerns. Their dedication and innovative ideas have helped us tackle complex issues, contributing directly to our efforts to protect the integrity of biathlon.
Mutual growth and shared success
The benefits of this partnership have been twofold. For the BIU, working with MAISi and DAISi interns has been an opportunity to expand our network and integrate new research into our practices. These collaborations have helped us identify and mitigate risks, adapt to changing landscapes, and strengthen our position as a leader in sports integrity.
For the interns, the BIU provides a dynamic environment to apply their academic training to real-world challenges. By engaging in our projects, they gain valuable experience, deepen their understanding of integrity in sports, and build connections that support their future careers.
Strengthening the integrity network
This week, I had the privilege of visiting Leuven to meet with DAISi PhD candidates and listen to them describe their incredible work. The depth of research and innovation on display was truly inspiring, reaffirming the value of our partnership with these talented individuals and their institutions. Such engagements not only help us stay ahead of potential challenges but also strengthen the integrity network that supports our shared goals.
Together, we have created a powerful synergy that benefits the sport of biathlon and beyond. By combining academic rigour with practical application, we’ve enhanced the BIU’s capacity to anticipate and respond to threats, while also fostering the next generation of integrity leaders.
Looking ahead
As we continue to build on the foundation laid by MAISi and DAISi, we are excited about the possibilities for future collaboration. Together, we will continue to protect our sport, ensuring that integrity remains at the heart of biathlon.
The BIU is proud to celebrate the achievements of our interns and looks forward to further enriching this partnership. It’s not just about safeguarding the sport today – it’s about shaping a future where integrity thrives.
Greg McKenna is Head of the Biathlon Integrity Unit
Mona Brorsson elected to WADA Athlete Council
Olympic gold medallist Mona Brorsson has been elected to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Athlete Council Group 2 for 2025-2027.
The Swede was amongst eight members to be elected following a two day election held virtually via an online voting platform between 10-12 December. The election was open to International Federation (IF) Athlete Commissions (ACs) and saw 55 out of the 60 IF ACs cast votes.
Brorsson brings significant experience as an athlete who has competed at the very highest level having won gold in the women’s relay at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, silver in the women’s relay at PyeongChang 2018 and silver at the World Championships in 2019. In addition to her athlete experience, her studies in political science and experience from antidoping procedures in biathlon, equip her with the knowledge of how to support the enhancement of antidoping policies.
Speaking about why she wanted to be on the WADA Athlete Council, Brorsson said:
“It would give me a unique opportunity to be a voice for all athletes, to affect and contribute to antidoping policies and be able to fight for fair and clean sport. I would be able to represent my former colleagues, speak up for them, bring forward their views and needs and make sure that their voices get heard at the highest level. My commitment and my experience within my sport makes me a good candidate and hopefully able to make a true difference in the fight against doping.”
The WADA Athlete Council represents, supports, and promotes the voices of athletes on anti-doping matters; and is the avenue for athletes, chosen by athletes, to assume important seats within WADA’s governance bodies. The Council comprises:
· Group 1: Five athletes appointed by the International Olympic Committee’s and International Paralympic Committee’s Athlete Commissions;
· Group 2: Eight athletes elected by the Athlete Commissions of International Federations; and
· Group 3: Seven other athletes, selected by an appointment panel made up by a majority of athletes, to fill skills and diversity gaps
The BIU at the Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network meeting, Montreal
Last month I had the privilege of attending the eighth annual Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (ADIIN) meeting in Montreal, Canada. This significant gathering brought together experts from National Anti-Doping Organizations, International Federations, the International Testing Agency, and others, marking a vital step forward in our collective endeavour to uphold the integrity of sports.
This year, the BIU was one of only two organisations representing International Federations, emphasising the importance of our role. Our involvement in such gatherings is not just symbolic but essential, as it demonstrates our commitment to collaborative efforts to combat anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs), including sample manipulation. The inclusion of integrity professionals from both the International Biathlon Union and World Athletics also provided voices to reflect the perspective of an International Federation.
The discussions, led by WADA’s Intelligence & Investigations Department, were instrumental in advancing strategies to tackle the various challenges presented by those intent on doping in sport. By being part of these conversations, the BIU aims to help shape policies and best practices that will define the anti-doping landscape in the years ahead.
Nicolas Jan, a Swiss forensic scientist and friend of the BIU, was among those attending this year’s session. Forensic science is continually evolving and it was great to discuss evidence collection opportunities and how we can increase our use of forensic science services in our work. These are an absolute must when looking for evidence in what we refer to as ‘non-analytical’ doping cases.
A ‘non-analytical’ doping case occurs when an athlete is suspected of using banned substances without a failed (positive) drug test. Instead, evidence is collected by other means, for example, documents or testimonies that may indicate and ultimately prove doping.
Involvement in the ADIIN meeting reflects the BIU’s dedication to fostering a clean and fair sporting environment for athletes worldwide. The collaboration across different organizations reinforces our commitment to maintaining the integrity of sports and protecting the rights of those who compete fairly.
It is crucial that the BIU continues to engage with such networks, as they are at the forefront of combating doping in sports, and our participation helps bolster the global effort to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.
If you have any questions or comments about our work or if you would just like to find out a bit more about anything integrity-, wellbeing- or governance-related, please do make contact.
Greg McKenna is Head of the Biathlon Integrity Unit
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +43 662 85 50 50 16
CAS rejects next Ustyugov appeal – Sochi medal reallocation delay
The Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) welcome the decision issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the Biological Passport case of former athlete Mr Evgeny Ustyugov. The CAS Appeals Division has upheld the findings of the Anti-Doping Division (ADD) of CAS, which determined that Mr Ustyugov committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) based on anomalies identified in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
Following this finding, Mr Ustyugov has been sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility. Additionally, all competitive results achieved by Mr Ustyugov between 24 January 2010, and his retirement at end of the 2013/2014 season are invalidated, including any associated medals, points and prizes. This includes results achieved at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, where he had been awarded the gold medal in the mass start and the bronze in the men’s relay. Mr Ustyugov may appeal this decision to the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT). However, such appeals are only permitted on narrow procedural grounds.
Meanwhile, Mr Ustyugov has appealed another recent and separate CAS decision to the SFT. That CAS ruling rejected a joint appeal filed by Mr Ustyugov and another former athlete, Mrs Svetlana Sleptsova, who challenged the first-instance verdicts issued by the IBU Anti-Doping Hearing Panel in February 2020, which were based on findings from the Moscow Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database.
That ruling resulted in Mr Ustyugov’s loss of all associated medals, points and prizes from 27 August 2013 to the end of the season 2013/2014 including the results of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014 where he had been awarded a relay gold medal. The medal reallocation of that competition can only be implemented after a final verdict by the SFT and a subsequent formal IOC Executive Board decision on the reallocation.
