The nightmare for many biathletes has become a reality: The IBU has passed the controversial rule change that the athletes fear will ruin fair play in the World Cup. 

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has decided to change the starting order for two of the individual events starting next season (individual and sprint competitions) despite protests from the biathletes. 

Until now, the highest-ranked biathletes could choose which group they want to start in for the sprint and individual races. Many of the top athletes preferred to start early. 

But now, the IBU will change the rules so that the top 15 ranked biathletes in the World Cup and World Championships will start in group 3. This means they will start between numbers 46 and 75 in these races. 

The purpose of forcing the top biathletes to start in the middle of the field is to make the competitions more exciting and “guarantee better storytelling,” according to an IBU press release last Wednesday. 

“The new seeding system guarantees even more thrilling biathlon Sprint and Individual competitions and greater storytelling. The top 15 athletes of the current World Cup Total Score will start with bibs 46-75 and chase the best times towards the competition’s end. Fans watching on TV and in the stadium will have a greater event and viewer experience with the top athletes more spread out so their races can be followed more closely. Moreover, the best athletes from each country who are not in the Top 30 will open the competition delivering exciting competitions from the very start and throughout,” says the press release and adds:

“The IBU discussed the rule change with the IBU Athletes Committee, the IBU Technical Committee, several National Federations and teams. Based on their input, the EB has decided to run a test for the new start group system during the first four weeks of the World Cup in November and December 2024 and to evaluate the results. Moreover, in extraordinary weather situations causing severe course conditions, which won’t guarantee equally fair conditions across the start groups, the Competition Jury may decide to apply an alternative start group system, which provides for the top 15 athletes of the current World Cup Total Score to start at the beginning of the competition. The complete and detailed new system can be found here.”

Creates Unfair Competitions 

The biathletes are far from happy with the new start format. They launched a petition to stop the change when the proposal became known. However, this has not succeeded. Now, the changes will be implemented in the coming season. 

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The biathletes fear that the new format will result in the best athletes not getting the best conditions, and that the competitions will not be fair, as conditions can vary significantly throughout the race. 

Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen is one of those who has been vocal. He believes other measures could have a better effect. 

“It would be better to introduce more show-like races and perhaps more races that are decided on the shooting range, at least if they are worried about Norwegian dominance in the future. We are not significantly better at shooting than other nations,” the national team veteran said when the proposal came up.

Could Make a 30-Second Difference 

Biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen is also skeptical. 

“If the World Cup leader goes out as number 75 and his closest competitor goes out as number 45, I believe it could result in a 30-second difference on the course,” says Bjørndalen to TV2. 

On the other hand, the IBU says they have considered the feedback from the biathletes. They have made some adjustments to the rule change. A race jury will decide if the top 15 athletes should be allowed to start earlier, and they will test the new format for four weeks before evaluating the results.

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