Volunteers key to biathlon competition’s success

PRESQUE ISLE – Standing outside the lodge at the Nordic Heritage Center on Sunday, Lance Sweeney didn’t have a pair of skis or a rifle, or a placard with a number around his waist.

Although he wasn’t a biathlete, Sweeney and hundreds of others played a significant role in the Biathlon Junior World Championships over the weekend, providing behind-the-scenes services that kept the entire event running smoothly.

“I have never seen an event like this before,” said Sweeney, commenting on why he chose to volunteer at the event. The Presque Isle family practitioner was taking a break from the first aid station.

“I like to cross-country ski, and I ski here [at the Nordic Heritage Center] all the time. It’s great to see these young people out there doing this,” he said.

Biathlon is a sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship. The age groups participating in the Presque Isle competition are juniors, born in 1985 or 1986, and youth, born after 1987.

Approximately 250 athletes from 30 countries are expected to participate in the competition, which ends Friday.

Officials have said that approximately 700 volunteers have registered to help out, doing everything from driving spectators to the venue to lining up the athletes before the races.

Sweeney volunteered to work over the weekend and will be at the venue to help out another day this week. He said on Sunday that he had not dealt with any major health problems thus far.

“I’ve just taken care of a couple of minor things,” he said. “It’s been good.”

Fort Fairfield residents John and Pat McCrea were also a major force at the facilities on Sunday. John McCrea was volunteering in the timing-start area, while his wife was helping line up racers before the start of each competition.

“I wanted to help out just because it is so fun here,” said Pat McCrea, warming up between races in the spectators’ tent. “It’s fun being outside, seeing all of the people, and it’s wonderful for this area.”

John McCrea agreed. He will be volunteering at the event throughout the week, and said that he was excited to be part of the experience.

“I think this is great,” he said on Sunday. “Presque Isle is hosting the [junior] world championships – it’s excellent.”