Olle Dahlin will step down as president of the International Biathlon Union this weekend after two terms of reforms aimed at rebuilding the sport’s reputation and restoring Olympic funding.
The 72 year old Swede became IBU president in 2018, following corruption and doping scandals that led the International Olympic Committee to suspend funding to the governing body.
Dahlin introduced an external review of the IBU, which resulted in a new constitution in 2019 and the creation of an independent Biathlon Integrity Unit.
The IBU also expanded development programmes for smaller nations and introduced initiatives using roller skis and laser rifles. At the Milano Cortina Olympics, more than 170,000 spectators attended biathlon events, representing about 13% of all Olympic tickets sold.
Russian athletes remain suspended from IBU competitions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Dahlin said their return would depend on the end of the war and progress on outstanding governance issues.
Dahlin, who is leaving because of the IBU’s term limits, said he plans to remain involved in biathlon, the Olympic movement and anti doping efforts.
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