IBU Biathlon World Championship as an important event for Bled

Pokljuka, Slovenia, Matic Klansek
Pokljuka, Slovenia, Matic Klansek

Major sports events and championships are part of the proud history of Bled as it has been the venue of various sports competitions for decades – from those for children at the local level or senior competitions at the international level, to the largest world championships.

Together with Pokljuka, Bled is hosting the largest sporting event in 2021: the IBU Biathlon World Championships – Pokljuka 2021. The competitions of the best biathletes in the world, between 9 and 21 February, are at held the highest level for the second time. This is due to the continuous hard and devoted work of the organizers and the constant development of the popular venue of the Biathlon World Cup, which celebrates 30 years this year.

The sustainable story of the World Cup

The International Biathlon Federation (IBU) has decided to take the “green” path and outline guidelines in the Sustainable Strategy 2020-2030 to make biathlon a leader in the field of sustainability in sport. Under the slogan “Plastic Free Pokljuka”, this year’s biathlon championships will work on reduction of single-use plastic products. The sustainable orientation of this year’s competition strengthens the reputation of Slovenia and Bled as the destinations committed to sustainability.

Bled is proud that the IBU has once again entrusted the world championship to Pokljuka. “For Bled tourism, such an event is of immense importance, athletes and their companions and fans are always and will always be welcome guests here. We won’t be able to accept fans this year as a small virus has turned our lives upside down. Nevertheless, I believe that the championship will once again be more than just a demanding task and that Pokljuka and Bled will re-enter the history of biathlon,” says the director of Tourism Bled Tomaž Rogelj.

Sports atmosphere in Bled

Unfortunately, the event is held without the expected attendance of 11,000 spectators per day due to coronavirus. However, most of the hotels, boarding houses and some private accommodation providers in Bled have been occupied by the sports teams and media representatives, which brought a pleasant atmosphere to the town this winter.

Bled Convention Bureau