Lisa Vittozzi also does not agree with the new rule. © Teyssot / Pierre TEYSSOT

A new rule outrages biathlon stars

The new biathlon World Cup season begins in two months. Then a rule change will come into force that is currently causing a lot of heated debate.

September 27, 2024

From: det

What is it about? Starting next season, there will be a new starting group rule that means that the best in the World Cup will be allowed to start later in sprint and individual races. This means that the top 15 in the overall rankings must choose a number between 46 and 75. Up until now, the top athletes have always been able to choose any number.

The reasoning behind the rule change is clear: the biathlon association wants the competitions to remain exciting until the very end and the ratings to remain high until the end. This was often not the case with the old start number rules, which often meant that the top stars crossed the finish line early and the races were de facto decided.

There is a rule change in biathlon. © ANSA / JAVAD PARSA

Many biathlon stars have strongly criticized this new rule – for example the reigning overall World Cup winner Lisa Vittozzi. “There is no need to beat around the bush: this new rule takes away an advantage from the strongest athletes,” Vittozzi told Italian Fund. "It is therefore normal that many people do not agree with it. But what the athletes think is not important. The decision was made even if the majority of athletes did not agree - myself included. We will have to adapt."

Criticism by Giacomel, Bø and Co.

Tommaso Giacomel is of the same opinion. "This is a step backwards. I don't think anyone wanted this change. I think it's a shame that people are only thinking about ratings and ignoring the other aspects," the Trentino native told Italian Fund.

“Nobody wants to watch a race for 40 minutes before the top athletes shoot.” Johannes Thingnes Bø

Biathlon superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø is also angry. He fears that fewer fans will end up sitting in front of their TV screens. "If people switch to biathlon and don't see any of the best, they will switch back and we will lose viewers. Nobody wants to watch a race for 40 minutes before the top athletes shoot. We have also emphasized this aspect," the Norwegian told TV2.

The great dominator in biathlon: Johannes Thingnes Bø. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

Meanwhile, athlete spokesman Sebastian Samuelsson says: "It is frustrating because many athletes were against it. Everyone was happy with the old system. We understand that there should be more exciting races, but what we criticize is that the risk of unfair competition increases."

Wierer counters

Of the top stars, there is only one who does not speak out against the new rule: Dorothea Wierer. The IBU - according to the Niederrasner - certainly does not want to harm the sport, but rather to make it more attractive and spectacular. "Before criticizing something, it is right to try it out," says Wierer.