Prince George hosting the 2022 Canadian Biathlon Championship

Prince George is going to be the site of two national sporting events next March.

It was announced today (Wednesday) that the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will be hosting the 2022 Canadian Biathlon Championship around the same time that the 2022 Canadian Women’s Curling Championship takes place at the CN Centre.

The Biathlon competition will take place from March 11-17, and will require hundreds of local volunteers each day.

“Prince George and Caledonian Nordic have a long history of developing top-level biathlon Olympians,” said Lyle McLeod, President of Biathlon Canada, ” I look forward to returning then for what I’m sure will be an outstanding event.”

The championship will bring approximately 250 athletes from across the country to Prince George.

Tourism PG CEO, Colin Carson expects the event will help boost the local tourism and hospitality industry, as it will bring in approximately $500,000.

“The tourism and hospitality industry as a whole has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. But welcoming back events, especially National caliber events like this one is a great step in the recovery process,” he said.

Every year the Canadian Biathlon Championship alternates from taking place on the East or West side of the country.

“Bringing sporting events back not only boosts the economy but it creates an exciting, engaging atmosphere for the city. We are proud to be able to showcase our community, its people, and this amazing facility to all of Canada,” added Debbie Heywood, City of PG Spokesperson.

Biathlon is the combination of cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship as competitors ski a certain distance and then shoot at toonie-sized targets with a rifle.

The event kicks off with the Sprint event taking place on March 13, followed by Pursuit on March 14, the Mass Start/Individual event on March 16, and the Single Mixed relay event on March 17.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the competition can visit the Caledonia Nordic website.