Biathlon: Farewell in tears: Biathlon superstar Bö quits

Johannes Thingnes Bö tried to read the first sentence of his resignation from his cell phone when the biathlon record world champion’s voice broke and tears immediately ran down his face. “This is really hard,” said Bö on the podium and wiped his wet eyes dry again. The Norwegian was repeatedly overwhelmed by his emotions when he unexpectedly announced at the World Cup in Ruhpolding that he would end his unique career after this season.

Biathlon loses its superstar, who leaves a year earlier than he originally planned. The Winter Olympics in Italy next year will take place without the five-time gold medalist and 20-time world champion. “I know that I could manage to win more often because I have an incredible gift. I almost don’t have to train to be number one,” said Bö: “But it’s not enough to keep going for another year .”

Family more important than victories

The past few years have been gusty. “It takes a lot out of you and the people around you to stay No. 1 in your sport,” he said. The five-time overall World Cup winner is now looking forward to spending time with his family. In addition to his wife Hedda and his children Gustav and Sofia, the 31-year-old is waiting at home. “The next races and points are not that important when you have a family,” said Bö. He posted an emotional photo with his two children on Instagram to announce his resignation.

“I am very motivated to finish as well as possible and defend my yellow card,” said Bö. Overall World Cup victory number six is ​​the goal before he takes off his skis for the last time after a competition on March 23rd after the mass start at his home game at Holmenkollen, high above Norway’s capital Oslo. “I’m ready for the next chapter,” said Bö.

Recognition and respect from his rivals

“This decision shows that the man is even more inspiring than the champion,” wrote his former French rival Martin Fourcade. His teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid, who is only 48 points behind Bö in the overall World Cup, wrote: “Nobody on top, nobody on the side. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey.” He honored Bö as GOAT: Greatest Of All Time. “Wow, that’s the best medal you’ve ever won!!! Ending your career for the family, respect. You’re really a role model,” wrote Olympic champion Michael Rösch.

He was invited to his farewell press conference less than two hours before the appointment at 12 p.m. Hardly anyone had expected this decision by the best ski hunter in the world at that time. “I want you all to know,” Bo said. A day earlier he had finished fourth in the Norwegian relay team at the World Cup in Chiemgau.

One record after another

Bö made his World Cup debut in 2013 and set many records during his career. The all-time winner is the record world champion with 20 World Cup gold medals together with his compatriot Ole Einar Björndalen. The exceptional athlete from Stryn wants to get the sole record at his last World Championships in Lenzerheide from February 12th to 23rd.

He has also achieved 79 World Cup victories and a total of 88 career successes. Only Björndalen is ahead of him in this statistic with a total of 95 successes. Bö was on the podium 135 times (88 wins) in individual races. There are also 72 podiums (42 wins) in the relay competitions.

In 2023, Bö made the World Championships in Oberhof his festival when he became the first male biathlete to win seven medals at a world championship – five of them gold. Oberhof jokingly became “Boeberhof”. He also managed to win eleven races in a row in the winter of 2022/2023, including the World Cup. In the 2018/19 season, Bö achieved 19 triumphs, which is also a record that no one will likely achieve so quickly.

The fact that he is now leaving is irrefutable, emphasized Bö and added: “In 20 years, when my children move out, I certainly won’t regret it.” On Sunday (12.30 p.m./ARD and Eurosport) he will compete again in the mass start in Ruhpolding. He doesn’t have any plans for after his career yet. “But I will definitely remain loyal to biathlon in some form.”