British Olympic Association accredits Glenmore Lodge as a centre for excellence in biathlon

Friday 2 June 2000

The British Olympic Association (BOA) flag was raised today in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains in a ceremony to mark the accreditation of sportscotland National Centre Glenmore Lodge as a centre of excellence for the sport of biathlon.

This is the first centre in Scotland to be awarded the honour under the BOA's scheme of accreditation, which now includes seven centres for elite sport in the United Kingdom.

The scheme gives accredited centres access to assistance from the BOA's extensive support network of specialist steering groups and experts in all aspects of high performance sport.

Glenmore Lodge will now be recognised as an Olympic National Training Centre by the British Biathlon Union, all sports councils in the United Kingdom and the British Olympic Association.

Athletes and squads using BOA accredited centres will experience the highest possible standards of athlete services and facilities.

In addition, centres may be targeted for use by the 'Olympic family' for international, regional and local events.

Speaking a the ceremony to mark Glenmore Lodge's accreditation, Craig Reedie, Chairman of the BOA, said: "I am delighted that we have accredited Glenmore Lodge, particularly as Olympic winter sports such as biathlon have historically found it difficult to establish a centre such as this in Great Britain. The British Olympic Association hopes this base will enhance the British Biathlon Union's preparations for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in 2002."

Also speaking a the ceremony, Tim Walker, Principal at Glenmore Lodge, said: "Glenmore Lodge has developed an international reputation for excellence in mountain and outdoor sports and today’s announcement by the British Olympic Association is a further endorsement of this.

"Our purpose built training track enables the biathletes to train all year round and our residential and conference facilities ensure that squads and sports can use Glenmore Lodge as a multi-purpose training base. We are extremely proud that our efforts and investment will be contributing to the development of the sport of biathlon and the training of sportsmen and women for future GB Olympic Teams."

• Biathlon is a high endurance winter sport and combines shooting with cross country skiing and was originally developed as a hunting technique. It requires two almost contradictory skills of speed and calm – speed over the 20km, 10km or 7.5km sprint or relay courses and calm during the shooting in either a standing or a prone position. Heart rates on arrival at the shooting section can be more than 150 beats per minute and breathing irregular.
• In addition to its role as the Centre for excellence for biathlon, Glenmore Lodge, located on the outskirts of Aviemore, is a training centre for instructors in a range of mountain sports including canoeing, mountaineering and skiing and is home to the National Orienteering Centre and British Association of Ski Instructors (BASI).
• The accreditation ceremony included the raising of the BOA's flag and the unveiling of an accreditation plaque.
• Those attending were treated to a demonstration of biathlon, which included athletes cross-country skiing and shooting at fixed targets