Serious operation
Biathlon star announces Olympic exit
Updated 12/23/2025 – 9:02 amReading time: 2 minutes
With a World Cup title and several World Cup victories in the relay, Ida Lien has been one of the best biathletes in her country for years. But she has to watch the Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will have to do without Ida Lien. The Norwegian biathlete announced on Instagram that she had to undergo back surgery. Although the operation went well, the time until the games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo is too short.
“It’s sad that this happened during the Olympic season, but that’s life,” wrote the Norwegian world champion. “Now my body is resting and I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas at home with the family. We’ll see you on the trails next year.”
Several biathletes wrote in the comments and wished Lien a speedy recovery. “Get well again quickly,” wrote Julia Simon, for example. “Come back stronger,” commented Emilien Claude. Compatriot Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen also supported her.
Lien has missed the entire biathlon winter so far, so her cancellation of the Olympics comes as no surprise. She finished last season as number 24 in the world, but showed particularly strong performances at the season finale in Oslo. With 24th place in the overall World Cup, she would probably have qualified for the Olympics again and secured a place in the Norwegian relay. With her she won World Cup gold in Pokljuka in 2021 and achieved six World Cup victories in her career.
She also celebrated two European Championship titles in 2024, winning the sprint and mixed relay, and in 2020 she had already won silver in the sprint and bronze in the mixed relay. Lien is considered a strong runner with problems at the shooting range that have repeatedly been her downfall. Norway’s women’s relay team will be strong even without the 28-year-old. With Maren Kirkeeide (2), Karoline Knotten (11), Marthe Kråkstad Johansen (26) and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold (35), several biathletes are among the top 40 in the world.