Östersund, Sweden was revealed as host of the FIS Para Nordic World Championship 2023 on Monday. The marquee event will be the first time para nordic skiers gather under the banner of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for a major competition.
It represents a quick turnaround for a sport that only came under the partial governance of the FIS earlier this year.
“Finding a possibility to host the 2023 FIS Para Nordic World Championships was a top priority for FIS after taking over the governance of Para Snow Sports,” commented FIS Secretary General Michel Vion.
“These Championships are the annual pinnacle for the athletes and teams, and it is important to give them the opportunity to compete in a World Championship,” added Vion.
The FIS Para Nordic World Championship 2023 will include competitions across para cross country skiing and para biathlon. It will almost certainly be a welcome development for athletes, many of whom now compete under two separate governing bodies.
Para biathlon and para cross country skiing were both governed under the aegis of para nordic skiing when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) served as the governing body of both sports.
However, the sports were split between the FIS and International Biathlon Union (IBU) following the IPC’s decision to cease acting as the governing body for ten para sports.
It’s unclear if the IBU will have any involvement in the organization of the event.
Nonetheless, Östersund’s Skidstadion boasts facilities required for hosting both para cross country skiing and para biathlon. Swedish Parasport Association Secretary General Bo Sköld was pleased to see Östersund finalized as host of the event.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all those involved who carried out the work during the summer, to Östersund as a city, [to] partners and organizations who have supported us during the process,” said Sköld.
He added, “now we look forward to focusing on the practical work in the implementation of the world championships, with high quality and attention for our winter Para sporters.”
The Jämtland region, which includes Östersund, was originally positioned to host the second edition of the Para Snow Sports World Championships. However, the event was called off following the fragmentation of sports governed by the IPC.
Instead, efforts are underway to see multiple world championships held across the three para snow sports this winter. The FIS is still seeking a host for the para alpine skiing and para snowboarding world championships.
The FIS Para Nordic World Championship 2023 is slated to take place from January 20-29, 2023.