Column | Only Dorothea Wierer remains calm

Nothing, absolutely nothing, has happened yet. And yet one gets the impression that biathlon is behaving meanly, unfairly, even scandalously towards its protagonists. Above all and almost exclusively towards its best athletes.

On the other hand, it might be helpful for those who have not yet achieved great laurels. But of course they have no lobby and are hardly heard, because it is primarily the stars who are being asked about the changes in the coming season. They will lose previous privileges: the choice of a starting group that suits them. Now, in an initial test phase until the end of this year, they will receive starting numbers from 46 to 75 if they are among the top 30 in the overall World Cup. At first glance, that sounds as if success is being punished. Overall World Cup winner Lisa Vittozzi is not happy with the new starting rules. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

The outcry is huge. A small selection: Lisa Vittozzi, overall winner of the last season, says that in the end it doesn't matter what the athletes want. Johannes Kühn, a member of the athletes' commission, says: "That doesn't correspond to my idea of the performance principle." Athlete spokesman Sebastian Samuelsson from Sweden has asked around: "I know that the majority of biathletes are against it." And superstar Johannes Thingnes Boe believes he can look to the future. "We will lose spectators. Nobody wants to wait 40 minutes until the top athletes finally shoot." Only Dorothea Wierer remains calm: "I think we should just test it out this winter. After all, the future of our sport is at stake."

Prize money increased again There is fire under the biathlon roof, because somehow they are trying to square the circle. On the one hand, the prize money for the athletes has been increased again this year. There is no objection to this from the athletes, especially not from the best, who are the main beneficiaries of the grants. Natural and understandable. But then you can't avoid the question of where the money comes from. A World Cup victory is rewarded with 15.000 euros. In total, the World Cup, IBU Cup and World Championships come to almost ten million euros.

Of course, the money doesn't fall like snowflakes from the sky. It is sponsors and television companies that provide the financial backing for the International Biathlon Federation (IBU). And ultimately, the basic financial support only comes about if the product is well received by the consumer, i.e. the viewer. Ratings are the magic word. On the other hand, everyone should always be presented with a perfect stage on which they can perform to their full potential.

I have been commentating for Eurosport Biathlon for 26 years. Everything. European Championships, World Cup, World Championships and Olympic competitions. Nobody has ever asked me or my colleagues what we think of the new starting rules. What it's like when the most promising biathletes, and of course female biathletes too, have finished their races and 70 others are starting who experience shows no longer have a chance. Then, dear Johannes Thingnes Boe, no one will be watching once you've crossed the finish line because the event drags on incredibly slowly. I can remember races where someone like Martin Fourcade voluntarily let himself be placed in the last starting group because he hoped that changing weather conditions might give him an advantage. We were all grateful because the suspense lasted until the end. A dream for me and for the fans. Biathlon (here Johannes Thingnes Boe) lives – like almost all sports – from sponsors. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

There is a lot of talk about fairness now. Has it been fair to chase the less good athletes through possibly worn and poorer trails? And only the best for the best? In the alpine area, the fastest athlete in the first run of the slalom starts last in the decisive run. And the slopes were certainly used more than in biathlon. Nobody is upset about it anymore. A little calm would do the guard of ski hunters a lot of good at the moment and yes, I think the new starting rules are good. They extend the suspense of the broadcasts right up to the final shot. That is exactly what we want and also great for the fans. And the motto also applies here: standing still is going backwards. After all, it is not a revolution that is taking place, but merely an adjustment to the usual market processes. In any case, I am looking forward to the next season. There is already no shortage of topics.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including winner of the German Television Prize, the Bavarian Sports Prize and nominated for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, long-time sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung and commentator at Eurosport since 1989, devotes his weekly column to the entire diversity of sport and also likes to venture into unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with a wink, sometimes thoughtfully or deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Column | Only Dorothea Wierer remains calm

Comments (0)