BIATHLON CANADA STRATEGY
2010 – 2014
Summary Note to the Reader
Biathlon Canada has created an extensive year-by-year strategy for the next four years to support funding applications to Sport Canada and Own the Podium and other major partners (COC, CAC, CSC’s).
This document is a summary of the key building blocks of the Strategy. Biathlon Canada - Mission & Vision
Mission Biathlon Canada will achieve consistent international podium performance by leading, promoting, developing and governing biathlon in Canada to the highest standard of excellence
Vision Biathlon Canada sees consistent medal contenders in international competitions who are led and supported by an effective and dynamic organization which also provides a domestic program of rewarding participation opportunities for all members Values Biathlon Canada - Values
Excellence Leadership Democracy Athlete Centered Safety Integrity and Ethics Strategic Aim
Strategic Aims Key Deliverables
1. International excellence 1. Enhanced Excellence 2. Sport leadership within Canada and on 2. Enhanced Participation the world stage 3. Enhanced Building Capacity 3. Integrated national level programs 4. Increased Interaction aimed to increase sport participation Focus Areas 2010 – 2014
Athletes, Facilities & Coaches & Events Officials PRIORITIES Increase Participation Excellence Build Capacity & Interaction
Organizational Support Organizational Support
Building the Foundation
• Relationship with Sport Canada & OTP
• Strong Administration
• Broad Base of Sponsors
• Strong Finances
Scale – Current Assessment Strong Foundation Improving Needs Improvement Athletes, Coaches & Officials
International Level EXCELLENCE Athletes, Coaches & Officials
Development Level Retain Athletes & Coaches INTERACTION & CAPACITY Development Programs & Training Centres
Athletes GROWTH & Entry Level Coaches Officials (Clubs & Cadets) PARTICIPATION
Strong Foundation Improving Needs Improvement Facilities & Events
International Level EXCELLENCE World Cups & World Championships
Development Level INTERACTION IBU Cups & CAPACITY World Junior / Youth Championships
GROWTH & Entry Level International Calibre More National & Regional PARTICIPATION Facilities Development Facilities
Strong Foundation Improving Needs Improvement Annex 1 – Biathlon Canada Objectives Objectives: 2010 - 2014
• Objective 1 - To provide an athlete preparation environment that fosters international excellence at the appropriate level.
• Objective 2 - In cooperation with the Divisions, maintain and enhance the national standards and performance measures for the conduct of the sport
• Objective 3 - To increase the profile of biathlon nation-wide
• Objective 4 - To develop, implement and assist in providing continued access to comprehensive programs and opportunities for the development and retention of athletes, coaches, and officials at all levels throughout Canada
• Objective 5 - To increase capacity through the recruitment of skilled and committed volunteers and paid professional staff to enhance program delivery
• Objective 6 - To encourage and promote the hosting of and participation in regional and national events and to actively pursue appropriate opportunities to host international events
• Objective 7 - To increase and enhance resources from all sources to ensure the long term fiscal sustainability, advancement and growth of Biathlon Canada’s goals and objectives
• Objective 8 – To advance the sport through technological enhancement
• Objective 9 - To provide leadership and advice in the development of biathlon facilities
• Objective 10 - To enhance Biathlon Canada’s presence nationally and internationally Annex 2 – Additional Information Biathlon is an Olympic winter sport, which combines competitive, free-technique cross country skiing and small-bore rifle marksmanship. The word competition is used in Biathlon instead of race because it is not only a race, but a combination of two different disciplines. Cross-country racing requires intense, full-out physical exertion over an extended period of time, while shooting demands extremely fine control and stability. When athletes arrive at the shooting range, they have to shoot at a very small target, with a racing heartbeat and heaving chest because the clock is running even while they are shooting.
In a biathlon competition, the biathlete skis distances varying from 6 to 20 kilometres, and stops at the shooting range to shoot two or four times, with both the distance and number of shooting bouts depending on the type of competition in question. The shooting distance is always 50 metres and five rounds are fired in each bout at five targets, except in the relay competition in which the competitor has three spare rounds for each bout. There are two shooting positions, prone and standing, which are done in a sequence depending on the competition.
Penalties for missed targets are imposed either as one minute of added time per target for the individual competition, or as a 150 metre penalty loop - done immediately after each bout of shooting - for all other competitions. Canadian High Performance Cycle
Canadian high performance system on the cusp of resurgence. Numerous podium finishes at 2009 Numerous podium finishes at and 2010 World Junior Champs and 2004-2007 Youth/Junior World breakthrough performances at 2010 Champs and breakthrough Olympics. podium performances at European and IBU Cup level events
Significant international Few international successes by successes in late Myriam Bédard 1990’s and early
including a 2000’s INTERNATIONAL RESULTS INTERNATIONAL bronze medal in 1992 and two gold medals at 1994 Olympics 1988 - 1998 1998 - 2003 2004-2008 2008 & Beyond International Profile
2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Biathlon World Cup Viewership Top 5 most viewed events (source: Eurosport) (source: Eurovision)
1. Ski Jumping Average viewers per event: 40 million
2. Biathlon Total viewers per season: 650 million
3. Cross-Country Skiing Broadcast duration per season: 1,200 hours
Biathlon was the second most-watched 2010 Olympic event by European audiences