Winter is Coming, Right?

That is the big question. There is no doubt that climate change is affecting us. Climate goals, emissions, responsibility, the future, uncertainty, and global warming are topics discussed daily—on TV, in newspapers, and across social media. But the real question is: What are we doing about it?

And how can we, within biathlon, become more sustainable? Because if we are not sustainable, we will not be able to practice our sport in the future. We need to act. Together. Only then can we create the positive change that is so urgently needed. And it starts here, with our future stars.

A Seminar with a Purpose

On Sunday, a group of 20 athletes from Brazil, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, and Spain gathered to listen and discuss sustainability—a subject that is complex, challenging, and crucially important. A topic that directly impacts the future of winter sports and biathlon. The seminar took place at Arctura, the restaurant at the top of the water tower near the National Arena, offering a stunning panoramic view of Östersund with the mountains in the background. The setting couldn’t have been more inspiring—except that on this particular day, the sky was gray, the temperature was above freezing, and it was raining. A stark reminder of why this conversation is so important.

This is not what winter should look like, especially not this close to the Arctic Circle. Something is undeniably wrong. And that made this discussion even more relevant.

Protect Our Winters

Riikka Rakic, Head of Strategy, Sustainability, and Governance at IBU, welcomed everyone before handing over the floor to Tom-Oliver Hedvall, a freeskier and ambassador for the organization POW – Protect Our Winters, which collaborates with the IBU.

POW does exactly what its name suggests—it fights to protect our winters. They have ambassadors across many snow-dependent sports, including American cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Their mission? To mobilize the outdoor community as climate advocates. Because we know that together, we have the power to create change—on every level, from politics and business to individual actions.

But sometimes, making a difference can feel impossible. Compared to major global sports like football, biathlon is small. Yet, everyone must do what they can. And moments like these are valuable opportunities to reflect on our impact, warmer winters, and the climate crisis.

Athletes See the Changes Firsthand

After an insightful overview of climate change causes, global trends—both positive and negative— the athletes were asked how they had personally experienced the effects of climate change. Their answers were strikingly similar.

They all agreed that they now have to travel farther than before to find snow.

Riikka then shared IBU’s sustainability goals and central initiatives, but she also invited the athletes to suggest what IBU could do as an organization to reduce emissions, both internationally and nationally. The discussion was lively, and several excellent ideas emerged. Much of it revolved around smarter planning, logistics, and transportation.

Become an Ambassador – Use Your Voice on Social Media

One key topic of discussion was how athletes can influence their communities through social media. As national team athletes and top competitors, they have a platform that ordinary people don’t. They have followers who look up to them, watching their actions and decisions.

Tom-Oliver shared great examples of athletes who lead by example, rather than lecturing, and demonstrated how much more impactful an individual voice can be compared to an organization’s message.

And the most important takeaway? You don’t have to be perfect.
You just need to educate yourself and believe that you can make a difference.

Riikka summed it up well:
“At IBU, we know that many athletes don’t feel like the right spokespersons because they travel so much. But we see them as the perfect imperfect ambassadors—because they witness the impact of climate change firsthand, every single day. They just need the facts and confidence to speak up.”

And today, that’s exactly what they got.

The IBU currently has five sustainability ambassadors. Those selected receive training and knowledge, equipping them with the tools to speak with confidence. Riikka encouraged all the athletes to visit the IBU website and apply. Check out the program here: Länk till annan webbplats.

Balancing Elite Biathlon and University Studies

As a final highlight, the athletes received a short presentation about the possibility of combining university studies with an elite biathlon career. One example is Mid Sweden University in Östersund, where a program is specifically tailored for biathletes.

Students are part of a dedicated training group with expert coaching and structured training schedules, allowing them to fully commit to biathlon while also earning a university degree.

This is an incredible opportunity, open to athletes from all nations. Learn more here Länk till annan webbplats.:

A Sweet Reminder to Take Action

Before leaving, each athlete was given a chocolate bar with a QR code leading to an online sustainability course and additional resources on how they, as athletes, can contribute to a whiter future. A small but meaningful way to ensure they left the room equipped with knowledge, conviction—and a little extra energy.