Ready to go for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 in Oberhof: Team of helpers swears in to work together

With the kick-off - in addition to the full-time employees of Oberhof Sport und Event GmbH - the volunteers have now officially started their work for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024. Before, during and after the World Cup, the organizing committee will be supported by around 800 volunteers.

They are judges and stewards in the ARENA and on the track, are sitting in the box office, sell fan merchandise in the fan shop and are responsible for the supporting program: A total of 792 helpers, divided into over 40 specialist areas, are involved in the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 in Oberhof. On each of the four competition days from 4th to 7th January 2024, the organizing committee can rely on an average of 670 volunteers. When the biathlon family stops off in the Thuringian Forest in the first week of the new year, they will contribute to the smooth running of the six competitions.

They received the most important information for their work around the ARENA am Rennsteig - from accreditation to the volunteers' parking lot to supplies - yesterday, Saturday (December 2, 2023). The kick-off took place in the Haus des Gastes in Oberhof and via an online meeting, where the volunteers traditionally pledged to work together before, during and after the BMW IBU World Cup 2024. "After the successful World Championships in February 2023, some long-standing volunteers have taken their well-deserved retirement. And yet we can still count on a large group of helpers for the next World Cup. This shows that sport and volunteering continue to play a major role in Thuringia. The sports family is coming together again," says OC boss Bernd Wernicke happily.

The majority of helpers are organized in the Thuringian winter sports clubs. With 90 volunteers, the Ski- und Wanderverein Goldlauter-Heidersbach e.V. provides the most support. This is followed by the Skiverein Eintracht Frankenhain e.V. with 63 registered volunteers and the WSV Schmiedefeld/Rstg. e.V. with 56 registered volunteers.

Indispensable experience

Every helping hand is needed to manage a major event like the World Cup. "The experience that the helpers have gained over years or even decades is indispensable and was our asset during the World Cup. They have been praised many times for their help and friendliness. At the 2024 World Cup, we will once again welcome the athletes, their teams and their fans with open arms. Together, we will create a biathlon festival," emphasizes volunteer manager David Baumann.

While Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH did not have to recruit any new helpers, some key positions on the organizing committee have been filled. Following the departure of long-time competition director André Hellmundt, the position is now held by Mario Milde-Apel, the former chairman of the judges. There were also personnel changes in the areas of accreditation and traffic. The change in leadership is currently being prepared in the security department.

The information event has been an integral part of the preparations for years and is intended to intensify the exchange with the organizer, Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH. "We seek close coordination. Only when all helpers have all the important information at hand and know what needs to be done we can act as a team and manage a world-class World Cup," says OC boss Bernd Wernicke.