Case study: Ukraine expands Biathlon 4 All across the country

At the Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting in Salzburg, Liliia Budzulyak from the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation presented an inspiring case study demonstrating how the programme has grown from a small local initiative into a nationwide grassroots movement despite the challenging circumstances facing the country.

Launched during the 2023/24 season in the city of Chernihiv, the project began with just one regional club and around 30 children. Since then, it has developed into a national programme active in six regions of Ukraine - Kyiv City, Kyiv Region, Volyn Region, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, Zakarpattia Region and Chernihiv Region - creating new opportunities for young people to discover biathlon.

The programme combines regular training sessions, regional competitions and educational activities to provide children with a clear pathway into the sport. In Chernihiv alone, participants benefit from three training sessions each week, supported by qualified coaches and regular regional competitions that allow young athletes to develop their skills in a structured environment.

The growth of the initiative has been remarkable. Today, around 880 children participate in Biathlon 4 All activities across Ukraine, supported by 25 coaches and 42 referees. The programme also places a strong emphasis on coach education, with almost half of all coaches being women, helping to build a diverse and sustainable development network.

A major milestone has been the introduction of biathlon into schools through the national "Shoulder to Shoulder" School Leagues, organised together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Federation of Mass Sport. The initiative has already involved more than 600 school participants across 15 regions plus Kyiv City, using a safe laser biathlon format that enables children to experience the sport regardless of previous experience.

Beyond competitions, the Ukrainian programme places great importance on education and community engagement. Activities include school lessons, family events, inclusive programmes for children with disabilities, physical education teacher training and coach and referee development. Athlete ambassadors also play an active role in inspiring young participants and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

At the heart of the project is a simple philosophy: everyone can do biathlon. By highlighting that the sport is fun, safe, active and accessible, the programme encourages children and families to experience biathlon together and helps strengthen local communities through sport.

See the full presentation on IBU Learning Suite.