Eight young journalists will have a one-off chance to report on the IBU World Cup Season 2013-2014 under a scheme led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in close cooperation with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the European Section of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS-Europe).

Under the “Young Radio Reporters” programme, Euroradio Members will pick and coach rookie reporters before dispatching them to one of the nine IBU World Cup events of the coming season.

The journalist will produce audio interviews with athletes and press conference coverage, and make them available to the world’s sports press via the IBU’s special web platform:

http://mediacenter.biathlonresults.com/

In addition, the reporter would edit complementary content specifically for social media.

The Young Radio Reporters initiative was formally approved at the Euroradio Sports Plenary meeting, in October, at the EBU’s Geneva headquarters, after the formula was successfully trialled at the IBU World Championships, in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, in February.

Participating Euroradio Members, most of which have already named their reporter, are:  ARD (Germany); NRK (Norway); ORF (Austria); Radio France & RMC (France); RAI (Italy); RTV SLO (Slovenia); Swedish Radio (Sweden) and YLE (Finland).

YLE’s entrant Maria Nisula, who works for the Finnish broadcaster as a radio commentator, told the EBU:

“I’m looking forward to facing all challenges during this interesting project. It is a pleasure for me to work with the sport that I really like and know well. The main point for me is to learn more and develop myself as a journalist, and to do it in an enjoyable atmosphere.”

ORF selection Karoline Zobernig, who works as a host and reporter at a local Austrian radio station, said:

“I hope to be front row centre at a sporting event I would normally not have the opportunity to work at; getting to know the scene, interacting with the athletes, being part of and contributing to the media output. I am really looking forward to my ‘first steps’ as a young radio reporter.”

The IBU events covered by this project are:

22/11 - 01/12/13  World Cup n°1 in Oestersund, Sweden

03/12 - 08/12/13  World Cup n°2 in Hochfilzen, Austria

09/12 - 15/12/13  World Cup n°3 in Annecy - Le Grand Bornand, France

01/01 - 05/01/14  World Cup n°4 in Oberhof, Germany

06/01 - 12/01/14  World Cup n°5 in Ruhpolding, Germany

13/01 - 19/01/14  World Cup n°6 in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy

03/03 - 09/03/14  World Cup n°7 in Pokljuka, Slovenia

10/03 - 16/03/14  World Cup n°8 in Kontiolahti, Finland

17/03 - 23/03/14  World Cup n°9 in Oslo Holmenkollen, Norway