By Sam Bennison

Caledonia Nordics

Para Biathlon World Championships kicked off with opening ceremony

Mar 5, 2024 | 9:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— There was a hum of excitement in the air as Prince George welcomed para-athletes from across the world to compete on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh at the Caledonia Nordic ski club.

Representatives from Poland, France, Ukraine, People’s Republic of China, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, The United States, and Canada were in attendance.

The opening ceremony was a showcase of the mix of cultures that make up the community of Prince George. The Method Dance Society, with music by Kym Gouchie, danced alongside a traditional Indigenous dancer. Additionally, the Tapestry Singers sang a rendition of the national anthem in Dakelh.

The evening ended with a fireworks display from Connaught Hill.

The 2024 Para Biathalon World Championships will host their first race on Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. It will be a 7.5 km Sprint in the Womens’ sitting category. Athletes from Korea, Germany, and the United states will be competing. Full race schedule can be viewed here.

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Throughout the Para Biathlon World Championship, athletes will be using a variety of accessibility tools to showcase their talents. For example, para-athletes with visual impairments will use rifles with laser sights as well as sounds that indicate accuracy. Other athletes will use modified skis or poles in their races.

The Para Biathlon World Championship will close out on Sunday, March 10. They will be followed by Para Nordic World Cup Finals which begin on March 12 and end on March 17.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com