THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIATHLON ...

venues schauplätze2011 I 2012 I 20132011, 2012, and 2013IBU World ChampionshipsIBU WM 2011, 2012 und 2013author AutorinTanja OHLSON – GERIBU Communication AssistantIBU KommunikationsassistentinOriginal language GermanOriginalfassung DeutschPreparations for biathlon’s highlight events, the IBUWorld Championships, in 2011, 2012, and 2013 are underway.At all three locations existing stadiums are beingturned in state-of-the-art sports venues. Here is a quickoverview of the plans and developments at each location.More extensive reports are available at www.biathlonworld.com.Khanty-Mansiysk Has Impressive PlansThe construction in Khanty Mansiysk is a three- phaseproject with the first one completed before the e.on RuhrgasIBU World Cup last March. All of the work was conductedduring the dark, minus-40 days of winter and resulted in awhole new look for the stadium. As winter raged, the stadiumwas reconfigured giving it a very intimate feel, whichtranslates into an electric atmosphere with every cheer. Thereconfiguration resulted in new start/finish areas, new technicaland timing areas, as well as competition offices builtunder the expanded and reconfigured tribune. High abovethe tribune, spacious and modern television commentaryboxes were built that offer the “best seats in the house” forbroadcasters.The other unseen huge change in the stadium is the newshooting range tunnel. This is by far the largest and sturdiesttunnel in a major biathlon stadium. It seems big enoughto drive large trucks through and provides convenient easyaccess to the range.At the same time, new spacious wax cabins were constructedless than 100 meters from the start area. All ofthem are equipped with ventilation and changing rooms forthe athletes. These new cabins improve the working conditionsfor the teams immensely and could serve as a modelfor other OCs.Next Phase StartsThe next phase will happen this summer and will improveworking conditions for the media as well as the fan experience.The OC will add another tunnel for journalists, teamsand officials that goes from the stadium to the course. Theywill install new sturdy fences on the tracks similar to Ruhpoldingand Östersund. In addition, a new two-story VIPbuilding will be built. The final part of this construction includestwo new video boards in the stadium and a new conferencecenter addition to the press center, which might endup serving as the press center in the end.Covered StadiumThe third and most daunting phase of the improvementswill not happen before the WCH. It includes a cover over theentire stadium. The completion of that project would be visionaryand the OC calmly insists that it will be built.Everything is new at RuhpoldingIn Ruhpolding, the new stadium building will change theface of this German Biathlon Mecca. Keeping the proximity102 biathlonworld The official Magazine of the IBU 20 I 2010