Tag: Biathlon

Johannes Thingnes Boe has moved his retirement forward to the end of the biathlon season having previously claimed he would call it a day after the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Norwegian star has won the Biathlon World Cup Overall title five times and has eight Olympic medals to his name – including five golds.

The 31-year-old, who is widely considered one of the greatest biathlete of all time, won his first Olympic gold in the men’s 20km individual biathlon at the 2018 Winter Olympics before coming out on top in the 10km sprint, the 15km mass start, the 4×7.5km relay and the mixed relay in Beijing four years later.

Thingnes Boe had previously announced that he would call time on his illustrious career after the 2026 Winter Olympics, but he revealed that he moved the date forward to spend more time with his family in a post on Instagram.

“For 13 years I have been part of the best national team in the world, with the world’s best sponsors behind me,” he said. “The last six seasons I have combined top sports with family life.

“It has been amazing, but also challenging. “Now I feel that the time has come to prioritise the family.

“According to the plan, I was supposed to continue for another year, but the Olympic commitment requires even more, also from those around me.

“I still love to compete but competition days are few compared to all the other days.

“Let’s enjoy the last races together, before we finish with a bang in Holmenkollen in 20-23. March!”

Thingnes Boe claimed his fifth Biathlon World Cup crystal globe in March of last year, having also won the competition in the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons.

Highlights: Thingnes Boe claims 86th World Cup win after men’s 10km sprint triumph in Hochfilzen

Video credit: Eurosport

He also boasts the second most race wins of any biathlete across the World Cup, World Championships and Olympics, behind Ole Einar Bjorndalen.

Despite having his compatriot’s record in his sights, Thingnes Boe looks set to call it a day at the Holmenkollen Biathlon World Cup event in March.

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Norwegian biathlete Johannes Thingnes Boe, a five-time Olympic champion, has announced that he will retire at the end of the current biathlon season. Boe, who has been a dominant force in the sport for many years, made the announcement in a heartfelt post on his social media accounts.

“It has been an amazing journey,” Boe wrote. “I have been fortunate to achieve so much in my career and I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that biathlon has given me. But after much thought and reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to step away from the sport and pursue other interests.”

Boe’s retirement will mark the end of an era in biathlon, as he has been a key figure in the sport for over a decade. His incredible talent and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including five Olympic gold medals, multiple World Championship titles, and countless World Cup victories.

Fans and fellow athletes have expressed their admiration for Boe and his contributions to biathlon, with many praising his sportsmanship, work ethic, and competitive spirit. Boe’s presence will be sorely missed on the biathlon circuit, but his legacy will undoubtedly endure for years to come.

As Boe prepares to bid farewell to biathlon, he expressed his gratitude to his fans, teammates, coaches, and sponsors for their support throughout his career. He also hinted at future endeavors beyond the world of sports, suggesting that he is excited for the next chapter in his life.

“I am looking forward to exploring new opportunities and challenges outside of biathlon,” Boe said. “I am grateful for everything that this sport has given me, but I am excited to see what the future holds. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey with me.”

As Boe competes in his final races this season, fans can expect to see him give his all on the biathlon course one last time. His retirement will undoubtedly be a bittersweet moment for the biathlon community, but it serves as a reminder of the incredible impact that he has had on the sport.

Johannes Thingnes Boe’s retirement marks the end of an era in biathlon, but his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history will continue to inspire future generations of biathletes. Thank you, Johannes, for all that you have given to biathlon – it has truly been amazing.

Tags:

1. Johannes Thingnes Boe
2. Olympic champion
3. Biathlon season
4. Retirement announcement
5. Amazing career
6. Five-time champion
7. Professional athlete
8. End of era
9. Biathlon legend
10. Inspirational journey

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