E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon

The executive directorate of the World Cup Organizing Committee has announced the ending of all the planned preparations. The IBU sports director Franz Berger will officially check the perfect readiness of the Committee on March, 14.

The Winter Sports Center named after A. Filipenko is preparing to host the biathletes from 24 countries. Spartak Antonenkov, the Organizing committee executive director said, that the preparation works are almost finished. “During the last week we perfected all the tracks of the biathlon center; we also tested the communication links, shooting area and all the security services. Today we are setting television facilities; we are also placing the market stalls and accreditation control points on the Center territory”. Spartak Antonenkov confidently said that Khanty-Mansiysk is completely ready for the IBU sports director’s inspection.

The participants and spectators will see the official opening and closing ceremonies, and three days of racing, including sprint, pursuit and mass-start. Due to the changes in the other sports live broadcasting timetable, mass-start races on March, 18 will start one hour earlier. The other races will start according to the previous timetable, for more information go to E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon final stage site.

The organizers also told about the great entertainment program for those who want to visit Khanty-Mansiysk on March, 14-18. Besides the competition the guests will see the solemn opening ceremony of the World Cup at 20.30, March, 14 in Culture and Entertainment Complex “Arena-Ugra”. Free entrance, however it’s better to get the invitation cards before, as there are few of them left. More than 400 artists and actors under the direction of the world level professionals will take part in the performance. According to Alexandr Evdokimov, producing director, the Union of the playwrights of Moscow members, the spectators will enjoy the festive overtures, parade of the participating countries, suite “Sports – performance – art”, and an allegoric sketch about the exhausting race of the biathletes from start to finish. There is some special thrill – the symbolic raising of the IBU and the Russian Federation flags as a sign of our hospitality. The flags will flutter as if it’s happening on the open air. Besides, every visitor can take part in the lottery and cultural program one hour before each race begins.

The visitors will also be interested in the great cultural program, the information about it is permanently updated on the official site www.ugrasport.com. In addition to more than 30 cultural events, which will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk during the World Cup, all who wants can visit sports facilities: ski complex “Chvoyniy Urman”, Water Park, Ice Palace of Sports, and Tennis center – all the facilities will work according to their usual working hours.

“The biathlon competition in Khanty-Mansiysk were always attractive for the tourists from different regions of Russia and all over the world. Hope this time all the attention of the biathlon world will be fixed on the capital of the Ugra. We invite all the biathlon fans to visit our hospitable Khanty-Mansiyak from 14 to 18 of the March. I’m sure our fans are able to support the Russia team; and we will do our best for the guests to enjoy the week-end” – said Evgeniy Redkin, director of the Ugra Sports Department, and invited everyone to Khanty-Mansiysk.