IBU Youth/Junior World Championships kick off in Minsk

The 2015 IBU Youth/Junior World Championships officially got underway with a colorful opening ceremony at the State Flag Square in Minsk on 17 February, BelTA has learned.

An amazing light show was organized during the solemn opening ceremony at the Belarusian capital.

Belarusian Vice Premier Natalia Kochanova stressed in her speech: “On behalf of the Belarusian government and the organizing committee I am happy to greet guests and participants of the world championships in our country. Belarusians love sport and we are glad that the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships will take place in Raubichi. We took every effort to create the best conditions for the participants and guests of the competitions. I am confident that this big international tournament will give many positive emotions both to fans and athletes,” the official said.

The championships were officially opened by First Vice President of the International Biathlon Union Viktor Maigurov. “On behalf of the International Biathlon Union I am glad to greet the participants of the world forum in Belarus. The junior world championships continue the tradition of world competitions taking place on the Belarusian hospitable land. I am confident that young biathletes have already had an opportunity to assess the level of the Raubichi stadium during their training sessions. The International Biathlon Union has already praised the efforts of the organizing committee to host such a large-scale sport event in Belarus,” Viktor Maigurov said.

Belarus got the right to host the 2015 IBU Youth/Junior World Championships in February 2013 following the relevant decision of the International Biathlon Union (IBU). The junior world forum will hold 16 medal events at Raubichi.

The first races of the championships will take place on 18 February. The competition program for Wednesday includes the women’s 10km Individual (youth) and the men’s 12.5km Individual (youth). The program for 19 February will see the men’s 15km Individual (juniors) and the women’s 12.5km Individual (juniors). The 7.5km and 6km Sprint events for youth will be held on 20 February. The 10km and 7.5km Sprint races for juniors are scheduled for 21 February. The Pursuit events for youth and juniors will take place on 22 February. Relay races will be held on 23 and 23 February.

The championships will be broadcast live on Belarus Five TV channel.