Oberhof is set to stage back-to-back Biathlon World Cups in January ©Getty Images

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has moved a World Cup event from Ruhpolding to Oberhof after confirming its schedule for events in January.

Oberhof will host back-to-back events after replacing Ruhpolding as the venue for the second German leg of the series.

Competition in Oberhof is set to run from January 4 to 10 and January 11 to 17, before Antholz-Anterselva hosts an event as scheduled between January 18 and 24.

The IBU said it had relocated the Ruhpolding event to Oberhof as the latter German venue is due to host the 2023 World Championships and "would benefit from maximum opportunities to test and enhance its hosting capacity".

Ruhpolding is a regular host of IBU World Cups and also staged the 2012 World Championships.

Ruhpolding is a regular host of Biathlon World Cup events ©Getty Images
Ruhpolding is a regular host of Biathlon World Cup events ©Getty Images

It is the latest change to the World Cup schedule from the worldwide governing body, and designed to minimise the risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IBU last month removed Östersund in Sweden and Annecy-Le Grand Bornand in France from the list of World Cup venues in the November to December period to reduce the amount of travelling for athletes and other participants.

"Once again, we are satisfied that we have found the best solution to the current challenges," IBU President Olle Dahlin said.

"Athlete safety and the safety of everyone at our events remains our number one priority and we maintain that minimising the amount of travelling required, along with health regulations at the events, is one of the most effective ways of protecting people's well-being. 

"We are looking forward to three amazing World Cup events in January 2021 and already look forward to returning to our traditional World Cup stop in Ruhpolding in January 2022."