Candidates Battle for Biathlon Presidency

ATR) Frantic lobbying is taking place in the final hours of the race to become president of the International Biathlon Union.

Around the Rings is told it is neck and neck in an increasingly bitter contest between Olle Dahlin of Sweden and Baiba Broka of Latvia. IBU vice president Dahlin is slight favorite to secure the biathlon presidency in Friday’s election at the congress in Porec, Croatia.

After a respectful start to their respective campaigns, the final days leading up to today’s ballot have been characterized by mud-slinging, including accusations of Russian interference in Broka’s bid.

The fallout from Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal continued Friday, with more than half of the 50-plus delegates voting against the country’s biathlon federation being reinstated.

The IBU’s push for greater transparency, promoted in the campaigns of both candidates, was not reflected at the congress where media were banned from the meeting room. Only a livestream was available to media.

Both are seeking to restore the battered credibility of the federation, which was plunged into crisis in April when former IBU president Anders Besseberg and secretary general Nicole Resch were engulfed in a doping scandal. An Austrian investigation is ongoing into allegations of bribery and criminal wrongdoing linked to doping cases involving Russian athletes.

Speaking to ATR, Broka accused Dahlin of spreading rumors that the Russian Biathlon Federation was influencing her campaign.

The president of the Latvian Biathlon Federation and member of the IBU’s legal committee dismissed the allegations, saying that she had received information this week that Russia was still not WADA compliant. "This means that there is no legal base to vote for re-establishing Russian Biathlon Federation in full membership of the IBU. This is my clear position," she said.

Asked if it was a clean race for the IBU presidency, Broka said: "It is not fair at all."

"I am shocked that I am discriminated because of my political views. My opponents try to show me in the light that is absolutely not correct," she said, adding that critics had questioned her political views, her political party "and critical comments about the laws that are passed by the parliament of the Republic of Latvia"

"I consider it as a discrimination because of political views which is clear violation of the Olympic Charter," she added.

"It seems they found me really a strong competitor that they are ready to use all even ethically and from the point of Olympic Charter not allowed methods. The Olympic Charter stands for no discrimination ... no race, sex, political views, religion ... can be base for discrimination."

Dahlin denied that he had made any personal attacks against Broka or that he had spread the rumors. "I have only said I have heard rumors about Russian lobbying, nothing more. I have not made any comments on that or comments about Baiba Broka," he told ATR.

"I continue to present what I stand for and what I want to do if I am elected president," he said.

Dahlin sent a letter, seen by Around the Rings, to all IBU’s member federations on Sunday, reinforcing his mission statement and promises to voters.

"We stand at a crossroads for biathlon," he said in the letter. "Over the last few months I have had the pleasure of speaking and meeting with most of you. I have listened to your views, I have noted what you believe should change and I have incorporated it into my plans.

"I have a clear vision for biathlon to be the responsible and leading winter sport. But what is also very clear to me is that to be a success we must work together. In the past, your views and interests have not always been represented, and importantly, the opinions of athletes have not been clearly heard. If I have the honour of being elected your President, I will change that."

Of the 54 federations attending the IBU congress, 51 delegates are eligible to vote in today's presidential election.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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