Canadian biathlete helping to make her sport more inclusive

Shilo Rousseau’s rainbow-flag rifle grip sparked a World Cup dispute. Now, the sport is changing its rules as she chases her Olympic dream. Annie Bergeron-Olive

A Canadian biathlon athlete says she feels empowered after pushing her international federation to make the sport more inclusive.

Shilo Rousseau was first introduced to biathlon at the age of 12. Now, more than a decade later, she travels the globe competing for Canada on the world cup circuit.

“Competing for Canada, it becomes more than just about you,” Rousseau said from Austria, where she is currently training. “I feel like I’m representing my hometown and all the people who have supported me along the way.”

Last weekend, Rousseau made waves on the circuit for more than just a career-best top 30 result in the sprint race. During a routine equipment check, Rousseau was told by a local official to cover up the rainbow flag on her new rifle or she couldn’t race. She says the official was concerned the flag went against the International Biathlon Union’s ad policy on political statements.

“That kind of caught me by surprise as I was just trying to express my identity and support and bring awareness and visibility to the LGBTQ community,” Rousseau said from Austria where she is currently training.

That decision started a larger discussion between Biathlon Canada, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and independent third-party organization, the Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) setup by the IBU, to ensure the sport is a safe and inclusive place for all.

Rousseau was eventually allowed to compete while a review was underway.

“It didn’t seem like this is a political statement,” said the performance pathway director with Biathlon Canada Clayton Whitman. “It’s, you know, expression of Shilo’s identity, and it seemed like an overreach by the local officials.”

As a result of the incident, the International Biathlon Union has decided to change its policies. In a statement issued to CTV News, the IBU said it has identified the need to clarify its rules and guidelines concerning political statements through symbols or stickers.

“The BIU is currently looking into the respective paragraph of our rules to provide clarifications and to reassure athletes and officials about the regulations in place,” said the communications director for the BIU,Christian Winkler.

“Our aim is to separate more clearly what is a political statement and what isn’t to make sure we support athletes in the best way while keeping political statements out of the field of play.”

Rousseau, who added the flag to her rifle this Summer to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, says she feels empowered and proud of the change she and her team have affected.

“It’s really special to be able to make a change that impacts not only you but a whole community of people,” Rousseau said. “I really just want to be a role model and bring visibility and inclusivity to sport.”

Rousseau’s team at Biathlon Canada say they support her efforts to make the sport more inclusive.

“I think it’s really meaningful,” Whitman said. “Shilo is a great role model…she’s proud of her identity, and she’s proud to display the pride flag on her rifle stock in a prominent way.”

Rousseau is currently getting set to compete in the second World Cup event this week in Austria and is hoping to qualify for the Olympics. Rousseau says the Olympic Team for Biathlon is expected to be confirmed in mid to late January.

“It just makes me feel proud of who I am and empowered, and I just want to go out there and compete to the best of my ability and show people that you can be exactly who you are, and it is enough,” she said.