IOC Reinstates Biathlon Payments

(ATR) The IOC says it will lift all restrictions on the International Biathlon Union after a meeting with its newly elected president.

In June the IOC suspended all payments in the wake of the federation's former President Anders Besseberg and Secretary General Nicole Resch being investigated by Austrian and Norwegian authorities for allegedly covering up positive doping cases from Russian athletes. Both resigned in April after a police raid on the IBU offices.

The IBU elected Ollie Dahlin to its presidency in September during the federation’s annual congress.

Dahlin met with IOC President Thomas Bach today to get an update on the federation’s governance progress.

After suspending payments in June the IOC required the IBU to set up an Ethics Commission, appoint a new compliance officer, and implement an ethics code. The federation was also required to implement measures to audit and strengthen its anti-doping program, join the International Testing Agency, and accept four anti-doping rule violations against Russian athletes from an independent World Anti-Doping investigation.

"The IOC appreciates the very good progress made in the critical areas of good governance, ethics and the fight against doping," Bach said in a statement. "I received a strong undertaking from the IBU President to see these reforms through to full implementation. On this basis, we are looking forward to excellent and close cooperation with the IBU for the benefit of biathlon and the athletes."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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