Belgium Biathlon

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be held in the setting of Milano Cortina, Italy, marking a return to the Italian Alps. From February 6 to February 22, athletes from around the globe will compete in the pinnacle of winter sports, striving for Olympic glory across all disciplines.

Belgium Biathlon is pleased to announce the official selection criteria for Belgian athletes aiming to participate in biathlon events:

Selection Criteria Overview

In line with the regulations set forth by the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC), only athletes who meet all selection criteria and have received final approval from the BOIC Board of Directors will be selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The criteria are divided into four main categories:

  1. General Criteria
    Belgium must secure one or more Qualification Places in the relevant discipline, with the COIB confirming the effective use of these places.
  2. International Criteria
    Athletes must meet the following requirements established by the International Biathlon Union (IBU):

    • Admission requirements set by the International Federation, applicable to all athletes seeking a Qualification Place.
    • Minimum performance standards specified by the IBU for athletes aiming to secure a Qualification Place.
  3. Specific Criteria for Individual Events
    To be eligible to compete in individual events (Sprint, Individual, Pursuit, Mass Start), athletes must achieve at least one of the following during the Olympic qualification period (November 25, 2024 – January 18, 2026):

    • Two top-60 finishes in “Sprint” or “Individual” events at World Cup races or senior World Championships.
    • Two top-10 finishes in “Sprint” or “Individual” events at IBU Cup races or Junior World Championships.
  4. Internal Criteria
    To determine the final nominations, Belgium Biathlon will use the IBU Qualifying Point List published by the IBU on January 18, 2026. If the number of athletes meeting all General, International, and Specific Criteria exceeds the quota, selections will prioritize athletes based on:

    • Position on the IBU Qualifying Point List (World Cup points only).
    • Position on the IBU Qualifying Point List (IBU Cup points only).

    In cases where athletes are tied in points, the following factors will be used to break the tie:

    • Best result in an individual World Cup race between November 29, 2025, and January 18, 2026.
    • Best result in an individual IBU Cup race during the same period.
  5. Mixed Relay Participation
    Only athletes who have qualified through this selection process may compete in the Mixed Relay. The team lineup for this event will be determined by the head coach, in consultation with the assistant coach, based on optimal performance potential.

All criteria are supplementary to the COIB regulations and must align with them. In cases of discrepancies, COIB regulations take precedence. The official selection criteria will only be valid as published on the COIB’s website.