Growing number of biathletes and federations will participate in upcoming championships

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The 2014 IBU World Youth/Junior Biathlon Championships are only weeks away, and event organizers report that additional federations have signed up to participate in this year’s competition, exceeding their expectations for global representation at the event.
IBU, the International Biathlon Union, is a federation of 66 nations. According to Event Director Jane Towle, each federation has its own association which recruits biathletes for IBU biathlon events.    “We were expecting 25 to 28,” said Towle of participating federations. “We are now at 35. With this increase in participating federations, the competition now includes over 450 biathletes, coaches and support staff. This will be one of the largest World Juniors ever hosted, and we are thrilled it’s right here in the United States.”
According to Towle, not only does this increase in participating groups signify that the biathlon sport is growing in popularity, it also signifies the federation members have great faith in the Nordic Heritage Sport Club’s ability to host a world-class event.
In addition to hosting the upcoming competition, the club also conducted the 2006 Biathlon World Junior Championships with great success.
“The increase of participating nations is a testament to the growth internationally for the sport of biathlon,” said Nate Berry, Nordic Heritage Sport Club president. “What an exciting time for northern Maine to be preparing for this event — the same time our own Russell Currier is named to the U.S. Olympic team.”
Currier, a 2006 Caribou High School graduate, was named to the U.S. Olympic Biathlon team earlier this month. He and the U.S. team will compete at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in February. Local pride for Currier and the anticipated world event are creating a stir within northern Maine as volunteers prepare the stage for a successful competition.
“As Aroostook County prepares to again take its place on the world stage in the sport of biathlon, the level of excitement in the community continues to build. With word that more athletes, and as a result more spectators, than originally expected will come, the already heightened level of excitement will build,” said Jason Parent, press and promotions team member for the 2014 World Youth/Junior Biathlon Championships. “As a county community, we not only benefit economically from these events, but culturally and socially, as well.”
Aroostook County residents are well known for welcoming such world-class events with open arms, through support from local businesses and the consistent efforts of numerous volunteers.
“Thousands of volunteer hours spent at the Nordic Heritage Sport Club over the last decade have allowed us to be center stage for a major international sporting event, and I could not be more proud of everyone involved,” said Berry.