It’s an unusual move for the Olympic movement. Olle Dahlin, President of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), visited Ukraine this week to discuss with the sporting and political authorities how to help and support the sport and its athletes. Accompanied by IBU General Secretary Max Cobb, the Swedish leader stopped off in Bucha, where the construction of a biathlon complex is being considered. The two men then travelled to Kiev for a meeting with Vadym Guttsait, Minister of Sport and President of the National Olympic Committee, and Ivan Krulko, President of the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation (photo above). On the agenda were the country’s plans to rebuild sports facilities destroyed since the start of the conflict, and in the longer term a possible Ukrainian bid for the biathlon world championships. Olle Dahlin and Max Cobb ended their trip in the town of Chernihiv, where the country’s most important biathlon training center was completely destroyed by Russian army attacks. Reconstruction is due to begin shortly.
