Four countries are in the frame to host IBU events, President Anders Besseberg has said ©Getty Images

International Biathlon Union (IBU) President Anders Besseberg has revealed that Belarus, the United States, Switzerland and China are in the frame to host major competitions in the future.

The countries will all be considered by the world governing body, according to quotes published in BelTA.

"I think these countries will be able to host competitions in the near future," Besseberg said.

"The issue will be considered at a meeting of the IBU Executive Board in July 2017."

China will host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing 2022 while American biathlon is on a high after Lowell Bailey became the country's first world champion this year.

He won the 20 kilometres title in Hochfilzen in Austria in February. 

Switzerland is a country of proud winter heritage which has announced Sion will be bidding for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Darya Domracheva is a big biathlon star from Belarus ©Getty Images
Darya Domracheva is a big biathlon star from Belarus ©Getty Images

Belarus have already confirmed their intent to host major biathlon events.

"The Federation has already applied for hosting the World Cup competitions," said Belarus Biathlon Federation secretary general Anatoly Stromsky to BelTA. 

"We are ready to host the Biathlon European Championships. 

"As for the big tournaments Anders Besseberg talked about at the meeting in Prague, it is highly likely that Belarus will be able to host such events after 2020."

Belarus will already stage the IBU Summer Biathlon World Championships in 2019 at the Raubichi Olympic Center.

The European country could bid for the World Championships in 2020 or 2021. 

Darya Domracheva, a triple Olympic champion, is a major biathlon star from Belarus.