Stanislav Pozdnyakov: “ROC welcomes the decision to create a working group to officially reinstate RBU in the International Biathlon Union”

Today the delegation of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) headed by the President of the organization Olle Dahlin met with the Russian Olympic Committee during a working visit. The leaders of the biathlon community held talks with RBU head Vladimir Drachev and the General Director of RUSADA Yury Ganus, and then an expanded meeting was held with the participation of ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, ROC Secretary General Anastasia Davydova and the Director of Sports and the Head of the Main Department for Participation in Olympic sporting events Andrei Konokotin.

On behalf of IBU, Olle Dahlin, First Vice President Jiri Gamza, General Secretary Martin Kuchenmeister and member of the Executive Committee Ivor Lehotan took part in the negotiations.

The Russian Biathlon Union was represented by Vladimir Drachev, First Vice President Alexey Nuzhdov and Board Member Viktor Maygurov.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov congratulated Olle Dahlin on his election as head of the International Biathlon Union and wished him success in his future work. In addition, the Head of ROC noted that biathlon is one of the most popular sports in Russia and, on behalf of many fans, expressed hope for the official reinstatement of RBU to the world biathlon community.

The parties exchanged views on the current situation around the temporary removal of the Russian Biathlon Union. Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the creation of a working group of representatives of IBU, RBU and RUSADA that would engage in the implementation of the “road map”, which has 12 criteria. It also transpired that the issue of officially restoring RBU’s status will be considered at the 2019 Extraordinary IBU Congress in October next year, although with favourable developments, this may happen earlier.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov:

– The Russian Olympic Committee welcomes the decision to create a working group, which will include representatives of all interested organizations. This is a good example of building a working relationship.

Let’s put it this way, today we discussed the preliminary positions and ways out of this situation. I must say that a number of criteria from the road map, for example, concerning the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, are not within the competence of ROC and RBU, but in any case we will be guided by the interests of Russian athletes and will do everything we can to protect their rights.

Vladimir Drachev:

– Today we had a very busy day. First, we had trilateral negotiations with the participation of IBU, RBU and RUSADA, afterwards we discussed their results at a meeting with the President of ROC. Next week there will be a meeting of the RBU Board, where representatives will be chosen to be included in the international working group. Some criteria specified in the road map, in my opinion, need to be improved, but, in general, today’s negotiations have helped us to make significant progress in resolving existing issues.