Biathlon-IBU boss Dahlin honoured as sport goes from strength to strength

ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 22 : A day after the thrilling finale of biathlon at the Winter Games, the International Olympic Committee honoured International Biathlon Union (IBU) President Olle Dahlin on Sunday with the Olympic Order for outstanding contribution. 

A former biathlete and cross-country skier, the 71-year-old was recognised during the final IOC session for his achievements over the last eight years as IBU president, a role he intends to step down from later in the year. 

"It has been a fantastic journey, not least this international journey that is being crowned with the Olympic Order, which is perhaps the finest prize in sports in the world. It is a huge honour," Dahlin told Reuters at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Centre. 

"It's been a tremendous journey in biathlon, it's now at a top, top level and can be compared to many, if not all, of the world's biggest sports in terms of the level it is at.

"At the Olympics we have seen the development over recent decades on the world stage, the biggest stage that exists. We have top-class stadiums, and our World Cup competition is at a very high level."

Few who saw biathlon competitions at the Games would disagree, as tens of thousands witnessed superb action where superpowers Norway and France once again dominated the podium, though they did not have it all their own way.

Bulgaria and the Czech Republic both secured bronze medals, and thanks to efforts by the IBU and Dahlin to close the gap, plenty of smaller nations put in encouraging performances that they will aim to build on in the next Olympic cycle. 

The women's mass start that closed out the Games was a showcase of biathlon at its best as French sharpshooter Oceane Michelon overtook Tereza Vobornikova of the Czech