The World Orienteering Championships has appointed an event director ©Getty Images

The 2019 World Orienteering Championships (WOC) in Østfold in Norway has appointed Bjørn Axel Gran as event director.

He will deal with Championship events, as well as the World Cup Races in 2018.

His background is in engineering, where he holds a M.Sc and PhD.

Gran has a wide range of experience in orienteering, both as a runner and an organiser. 

He also developed Grenserittet, a popular cycling race in the Norwegian town of Halden.  

Bjørn Axel Gran has vast experience in orienteering in Norway and Germany and been appointed event director for the 2019 World Championships in Østfold ©International Orienteering Federation
Bjørn Axel Gran has vast experience in orienteering in Norway and Germany and been appointed event director for the 2019 World Championships in Østfold ©International Orienteering Federation

He spent a decade coaching the German national team, and is currently a race director for the Norwegian Championships in Halden.

"I really look forward to this job," Gran said. 

"Even though I know it will be both intensive and challenging."