Biathlon


The contrasting attributes of strength and skill, endurance and concentration make biathlon a compelling sport and one which is increasingly popular with sponsors and the public.

Testimonial

“Professionalism, friendliness, reliability and flexibility. These are the qualities that the IBU values in APF and they have convinced us to entrust APF with the marketing of the IBU's most important properties”.

 

Michael Geistlinger

IBU General Secretary

Fitness and focus

Infront's Austrian subsidiary APF are responsible for sponsoring rights of the IBU World Cup and World Championships in Biathlon up to and including the season 2009/2010

 

Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Though a seemingly unlikely combination - one an aerobic activity which requires strength, speed, and endurance; the other is a passive activity which requires concentration and a steady hand - this very old sport has its origins in an exercise for Norwegian soldiers. The first known competition took place in 1767 when border patrol companies competed against each other. Gradually the sport became more common throughout Scandinavia as an alternative training for the military.

 

This combination of skiing and shooting was demonstrated at the Olympic Winter Games in 1924, 1928, 1936 and 1948. The first World Championship in biathlon was held in 1958 in Austria, and in 1960 the sport was finally included in the Olympic Games. At Albertville in 1992, women were first allowed in Olympic biathlon.

 

The IBU World Cup Biathlon runs throughout the winter season and consists of a series races. Selection of the best Biathletes is based on the top rankings in the previous year’s World Cup Total Score. The World Championships are also held annually, except during the year of the winter Olympics. Biathlon is broadcast most regularly where the sport enjoys its greatest popularity, namely Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia.

 

APF share a close sponsor marketing cooperation with the International Biathlon Union IBU since the early 90’s. Thus, APF are responsible for all tour- and event-sponsoring rights of the IBU relating to the IBU World Cup and World Championships Biathlon up to and including the season 2009/2010. In addition, APF have also acquired the respective rights of numerous national federations and organisers - resulting in APF being able to offer sponsors highly efficient “one-stop” services around both the World Cup and World Championships, presenting Biathlon as an attractive uniform international communication platform.

 

For more information on Infront’s skiing portfolio see International Ice Hockey under Marketing Rights and under Media Rights  and FIS World Skiing Championships and Swedish Ice Hockey under Marketing Rights.

 

For news, results, photos etc from the latest IBU events visit:
IBU Biathlon World Championships 2007, Italy

IBU Biathlon Union website