BIU steps up co-operation with NADOs ahead of new season as hundreds of Biathlon Integrity Certificates are issued

The Biathlon Integrity Unit has been implementing a comprehensive out-of-competition doping testing programme in the run-up to the 2022-23 season, with results that are in line with previous years.

During the period, the BIU’s already close co-operation with National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) has been enhanced, with the NADOs testing more athletes that are not part of the International Biathlon Union’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) of athletes that are subject to out-of-competition testing.

This season, for the first time, all biathlon team staff members (including coaches, medical personnel and technicians) participating in any IBU event (Junior Cup, IBU Cup, World Cup) must hold a ‘Biathlon Integrity Certificate’ issued by the BIU, that includes information on doping testing.

So far, over 900 certificates have been issued ahead of the start of the new season, with more expected in the coming days.

A Biathlon Integrity Certificate can be obtained by completing a short online course, which can be found here.

The out-of-competition testing programme follows World Anti-Doping Agency rules and guidelines, testing athletes at home, at training sessions and at national competitions.

The basis for the programme is an in-depth risk assessment that was carried out during the 2020-21 season, resulting in the establishment of the IBU’s RTP.

The aim is to ensure a level playing field for all athletes competing at national and international level.

Greg McKenna, Head of the BIU, said: “Each year, with the help of the Biathlon Family, we are strengthening our anti-doping programme. Our Out-of-Competition testing now has greater focus and will not only detect prohibited substances, but also provides the BIU with valuable intelligence. As always, it is important that, should anyone have any concerns about wrongdoing, they come forward and report it in confidence to the BIU.”

The new biathlon season begins with the first BMW IBU World Cup event of the season in Kontiolahti, Finland on 29 November to 4 December, 2022.

Note to Editors

The Biathlon Integrity Unit is an operationally independent and specialised unit of the International Biathlon Union. It was established in 2019 in order to ensure all of biathlon’s stakeholders can have confidence that ethical issues in the sport will be addressed independently and expertly.