IBU refuses to reinstate Russian Biathlon Union's full rights

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) refused to reinstate the full rights of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU), according to a decision at the IBU Congress here on Friday.

"The IBU Congress has voted against the Russian Biathlon Union's application for full IBU membership. As a result the RBU remains a provisional member of the IBU," the organisation said on its website.

Some 29 members voted against and another 20 voted for reinstating the RBU's full rights, reports Tass news agency.

In December 2017, the IBU Executive Board made a decision to limit the rights of the RBU with the international organization due to numerous doping abuse allegations. The RBU was particularly stripped of the right to vote at the IBU Congresses and nominate its candidates for the executive posts in the global organization.

The Congress, due to be wrapped up on September 9, will also elect its new president.

The candidates for the post are Olle Dahlin, a current executive board member and chairman of the Swedish Biathlon Federation, and Baiba Broka, president of the Latvian Biathlon Federation. Norwegian Anders Besseberg, 72, who has led the IBU since the organization's founding in 1993, won't be re-elected for a new term.

--IANS

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