29. 1. 2024

Biathlon WCH 2024 in nine days. Vysočina Arena officially opened!

On Monday, 29 January, the National Sports Centre Vysočina Arena was opened, where the Biathlon World Championships will start on 7 February. The ceremony was attended by the highest representatives of the state, the region and the city, headed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Vysočina Region Governor Vítězslav Schrek and Mayor of Nové Město na Moravě Michal Šmarda. And there was also the Chairman of the National Sports Agency Ondřej Šebek or representatives of the implementing companies PS Brno and PKS Stavby.

The area underwent a complete reconstruction of the buildings from 2005 and 2006. "The Vysočina Arena needed an upgrade to be competitive not only for biathlon but also for cross-country skiing and mountain biking," said Jiří Hamza, President of the Czech Biathlon Union, the main driving force behind this reconstruction and host of the ribbon-cutting ceremony... The value of the reconstruction was estimated at 487 million Czech crowns including VAT, but excluding project work.

The new Tribuna E features team facilities, year-round operation, and permanent restroom facilities. Completely new are LED lighting technology, facilities for the timing system and referees, shooting range technology, waxing rooms, athlete dressing rooms, etc.

Before cutting the ribbon, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala also spoke. "This area is a significant center for both winter and summer sports, and its reconstruction was necessary. I wish everyone that the Vysočina Arena will witness the winning of biathlon medals for the Czech Republic in the following days. I hope that Czech citizens will also enjoy the World Championships and will subsequently use the arena for their own sports activities," he emphasized.

In the Vysočina Arena, which is now closed to the public, the final preparatory work is underway. From Sunday onwards, participants of the World Championships will train here, and the first of 12 sets of medals will be awarded here on Wednesday, February 7, in the mixed relay race.