Note: availability information of the sponsorship property or properties included both here and in other pages may not still be accurate at the time of reading and should be checked with the organisation concerned.
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Note: availability information of the sponsorship property or properties included both here and in other pages may not still be accurate at the time of reading and should be checked with the organisation concerned. |
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Whilst Biathlon is reputed to be the most watched televised winter sport in central and northern Europe (more than 40% of German households tune in to weekly broadcasts), in Britain the sport relies on the enthusiasm and dedication of athletes and on the generosity of a small band of sponsors to fund the necessary coaches and support staff. With events in the current World Championships taking place in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy and elsewhere, it's not so surprising that big name brands like Hewlett Packard and Adidas are keen to offer major sponsorship support across the continent. In Britain, meanwhile, the British Biathlon Union can barely afford to fund development for male participants and have no money or coaches for women. The BBU is funded almost entirely by sponsors or private sources with some most welcome, but limited, support from the BOA and UK Sport. Its budget is only one third of the bare minimum it needs to make a real impact on the world scene.
The British Biathlon Union (BBU), the national governing body for the sport in Great Britain, is run by a board of directors on behalf of the athletes and members. The BBU trains and selects male and female athletes to represent Great Britain at Olympic, World and European level. The BBU runs Senior (over 20), Junior, Development, and Paralympic squads. Nearly all biathletes in Great Britain are serving members of the Armed Forces.