The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has transferred the governance of Para biathlon to the International Biathlon Union (IBU) as of 13 July 2022.

The decision follows the unanimous approval of the transfer from the IPC Governing Board during its meeting on 31 May 2022.

Para biathlon will be managed by the IBU in cooperation with the International Ski Federation and Snowboard (FIS) through a joint Steering Committee. Para biathlon will be integrated into FIS’ general Para sport initiative with the IBU supporting with technical knowledge of biathlon and helping to further develop and improve the competition structure from low-level events through to World Cups and World Championships. Given Para biathlon and Para cross-country share many of the same athletes it was agreed a coordinated approach was necessary to maximise efficiencies and opportunities for the athletes.

The Steering Committee will be made up of the President and General Secretary of the IBU and FIS.

IPC President, Andrew Parsons, said: “IPC and IBU showed a common vision about the future or Para biathlon since the beginning of the discussions about the transfer of governance. We are extremely proud of the work that has been done to develop the sport and the progress achieved while under the governance of the IPC. IBU’s commitment to the development and growth of Para biathlon bears testimony to that.

“Since IPC members approved the managed process for our organisation to cease acting as the international federation for 10 sports at the 2021 IPC General Assembly, we have said the aim is for the sports to continue to grow and to thrive. We strongly believe that this can be achieved with IBU’s guidance and the support of FIS in the joint Steering Committee. I take this opportunity to thank IBU and its members, as much as all those who have been part of the development of Para biathlon throughout all these years.”

IBU President Olle Dahlin said: “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with the IPC, look forward to becoming an IPC member and thank them for their support as we welcome Para biathlon to the IBU family. Growing biathlon and making our sport as accessible as possible are key priorities and bringing Para biathlon under the IBU umbrella is fully aligned with these objectives set out in our strategic plan Target 26. We are grateful to FIS for their cooperation and look forward to working with them through the Steering Committee to ensure the continued development of Para biathlon around the world.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has suspended Tunisian Para athletics athlete Yassine Gharbi for a period of three years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).

The Tunisian, who competes in the men’s T54 class, returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided Out-of-Competition on 7 December 2020.

The substance was boldenone and its metabolite. The substance is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2020 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS).

As a result of his violation, Gharbi will be ineligible for competition for three (3) years from 5 February 2021 to 4 February 2024. The results obtained by the Athlete from the date the Sample was collected will also be disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in his or her bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

As a signatory of the WADC, the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code (Code) in compliance with the general principles of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for Athletes with an impairment.

The 2020 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing have been postponed because of fears over the spread of the coronavirus in China.

The championships were to be held from 13-15 March but governing body World Athletics pushed them back 12 months.

World Athletics sought advice from the World Health Organisation and turned down offers to host from other cities.

The coronavirus has killed more than 130 people in China and has spread to 16 countries globally.

Around 6,000 people in all have been infected by the virus, for which there is no specific cure or vaccine.

The epicentre of the outbreak is the Chinese city of Wuhan, around 370 miles from Nanjing.

A World Athletics statement read: “The advice from our medical team, who are in contact with the World Health Organisation, is that the spread of the coronavirus both within China and outside the country is still at a concerning level and no one should be going ahead with any major gathering that can be postponed.

“We have considered the possibility of relocating the event to another country and would like to thank the cities that have volunteered to host the championships.

“However, given concerns still exist regarding the spread of the virus outside China, we have decided not to go with this option, as it may lead to further postponement at a later date.

“We have chosen not to cancel the championships as many of our athletes would like this event to take place so we will now work with our athletes, our partners and the Nanjing organising committee to secure a date in 2021 to stage this event.”

The 2018 World Indoor Athletics Championships was held in Birmingham, while they will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2022

LAHORE: Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob said athletics is rightly portrayed as mother of all sports. And the countries which excelled in athletics usually produced wonderful results in other sports as well; he said this while talking on the inaugural day of 2-day 4th National Youth and Junior Athletics Championship at Punjab Stadium on Monday.

President Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Maj-Gen (retd) Akram Sahi, Secretary General AFP Muhammad Zafar and other top officials were also present on this occasion.

Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob was warmly received upon reaching at the Punjab Stadium. He also distributed medals among the top position holders on the first day of championship. Secretary General AFP Muhammad Zafar also presented a souvenir to Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob on this occasion.

The 4th National Youth and Junior Athletics Championship is being organized under the aegis of Athletics Federation of Pakistan and with the collaboration of Sports Board Punjab.

Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob said National Youth and Junior Athletics Championship is a key platform for young male and female athletes to show their potential.

“As many as 400 male and female athletes are demonstrating their athletics talent in the championship in which teams from Pakistan Army, Navy, Railway, Wapda and four provinces Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are taking part in the 2-day grand national event”.