The nations were unable to compete in the events after the IBU announced today that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials were unable to take part in any of their competitions due to their countries invasion of Ukraine.

The men's junior 4x7.5 kilometres relay was won by France whose team of Oscar Lombardot, Remi Broutier, Paul Fontaine and Jacques Jefferies triumphed in 1hr 14min 57.8sec.

Italy finished second 13.5 seconds behind with Norway completing the podium 21.4 seconds adrift.

The final event of the Championships was the women's junior 4x6 kilometres relay, which was won by Italy's team of Rebecca Passler, Linda Zingerle, Beatrice Trabucchi and Hannah Auchentaller in 1:16.47.4.  

Norway topped the overall medal table at the Championships, with Martin Nevland in formidable form in the junior men's events as he powered to glory in the 10 kilometres sprint and 12.5km pursuit.

In the 10km sprint, Nevland crossed the line in 24min 24.5sec, in front of Otto Invenius of Finland with a time of 24:36.4 and fellow Norwegian Martin Uldal's 24:25.3 finish.

The 12.5km pursuit saw the 20-year-old clock in after 33:20.7.

Blagoy Todev took silver, 14 seconds later, to record Bulgaria's best result at the competition before Uldal wrapped up bronze again in 33:54.4.

The Czech Republic's Jonáš Mareček pipped Norway's Vetle Rype Paulsen to the 15km individual gold medal as Uldal won bronze for the final time.

Mareček's compatriot Tereza Voborníková secured victories in two out of the three junior women's events.

The 7.5km sprint produced a thrilling battle as the Beijing 2022 Olympian beat Italian Rebecca Passler to the crown by 0.4 seconds.

Germany's Lisa Maria Spark then followed suit 4.1 seconds later to complete the podium.