Östersund Awarded 2031 World Biathlon Championships, Marking Fourth Time Hosting

Östersund has been officially selected to host the 2031 World Biathlon Championships, a decision made during the International Biathlon Union (IBU) congress in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Östersund won the hosting rights by a clear vote of 37 to 10 against the Finnish contender Kontiolax. This event will mark the fourth occasion Östersund hosts the championships, the previous being in 2019 when Sweden secured three medals, including a gold by Hanna Öberg.

Rikard Grip, the secretary general of the Swedish Biathlon Federation, expressed that preparations for the event are already underway, stating, "We are ready to deliver and are already underway with preparations." Sofia Domeij, the federation's chairperson, highlighted the significance of this decision for the advancement of biathlon in Sweden.

The championships are expected to provide notable economic benefits, including job creation linked to the organizing committee's expanded staffing needs during preparations and execution. Public broadcaster SVT will cover the event, with TV4 also broadcasting the championships to bring the excitement to Swedish audiences.

Additionally, the 2031 championships are anticipated to serve as a potential grand finale for several veteran Swedish biathletes nearing the end of their careers, making this home event especially meaningful. After seven years since last hosting, Östersund is geared up to welcome the biathlon world once again, reinforcing its status as a central hub for the sport in Sweden.