IBU pays tribute to pioneering administrator Bentele

The IBU announced the death of Brigitte Bentele, recognising her fifty-year contribution to biathlon administration. Bentele had become the sport’s first female international referee in 1981 and later served as a technical delegate, helping establish women’s leadership in competition operations.

She worked for many years as organising committee secretary and chief of competition at the Ruhpolding World Cup. Her responsibilities also included building and managing the IBU accreditation service across numerous World Cups and world championships.

Bentele served on the development committee during the federation’s transition to independence and contributed to its early organisational foundations. The federation’s tribute documented her roles in event delivery and institutional development, acknowledging a career that extended across several decades of international biathlon.