Bjørndalen confessed he was offered the leadership of the International Biathlon Federation
"These are European countries," recounted the eight-time Olympic champion.
The legendary Norwegian biathlete, husband of the renowned Belarusian Darya Domracheva, stated that some national federations offered him to put forward his candidacy for the president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
— Many federations did indeed contact me, asking if I would like to run. These were specific inquiries. These are European countries. But these are not Eastern European countries.
"I considered this possibility. I would like to develop biathlon in the best direction and maximize the potential and value of international biathlon. But I never received such inquiries from Russia or Belarus," said Bjørndalen.
The elections for the new president are scheduled for September 2026. Currently, the IBU is headed by Olle Dahlin.
Belarusian and Russian biathlon has been under an international ban since spring 2022, following the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Athletes are suspended from competitions and are missing the Biathlon World Cup, World Championships, and also missed the 2026 Olympics.
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