With just four days to go until the International Olympic Committee makes its host allocation for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics – between the joint Stockholm Åre Swedish bid and Italy's Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo – Strid said he is extremely happy to welcome the world to Sweden in 2020.

"We're sure that the Östersund 2020 World Para Biathlon Championships will be an incredible event for the athletes, coaches and fans watching the action," he said after this month's decision.

"Hosting this Championships in the Jämtland region aligns with Östersund's ambition to be the centre for the evolution of the world's Winter Para-sport – and we're eager to continue that journey along with the rest of the Para-sport movement.”

Östersund 2020 will be the first time Para-biathlon and Para-cross country skiing have not been part of the same World Championships since 1990.

This is part of a move to make the competitions more similar to the able-bodied sporting calendar, where the disciplines have their own schedules, as well as creating more opportunities and exposure for Para-biathletes.

In May, Åre and Östersund were confirmed as hosts of the 2023 World Para Snow Sports Championships in 2023, while Sweden will also host the International Ice Hockey Federation Ice Hockey World Championships in 2025. 

The 2020 World Para Biathlon Championships will run from March 11 to 15 but will not have an impact on the remaining competition season. 

Para-biathlon is already confirmed to be part of the programme at Lillehammer 2021 and the Åre-Östersund 2023 World Para Snow Sports Championships.