
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.

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."