Johannes Thingnes Bø is ending his biathlon career after the current season. The Norwegian superstar had to deal with a lot of hustle and bustle around the World Cup weekend in Ruhpolding. The record world champion was therefore happy with his third place in the mass start.
“A podium finish is very good in itself, but I have to admit that a lot has happened in the last 24 hours. That’s why I’m proud of this podium finish here,” Johannes Thingnes Bø told NRK.
The 31-year-old took third place in the mass start in Ruhpolding, 11.4 seconds behind the victorious Italian Tommaso Giacomel. Sturla Holm Laegreid (+6.3 seconds) came second.
“I think he would have won if he hadn’t had that 24-hour day. He probably had a nice but hard day yesterday. It’s stressful for the psyche,” commented Tarjei Bø on his younger brother’s performance.
Ex-biathlete Marte Olsbu Røiseland praised “NRK”: “He is a unique athlete. There are not many who would have made it one day after the announcement that they would quit.”
Johannes Thingnes Bø creates a biathlon sensation
Johannes Thingnes Bø officially announced his departure from biathlon on Saturday, causing nothing less than a bang. The 20-time world champion will retire after the current season. Bø explained that he wanted to have more time for his family in the future.
“I have been part of the best national team in the world for 13 years. In the last six seasons I have combined top-class sport with family life. It was fantastic, but also challenging,” wrote the Norwegian ski hunter on Instagram.
Bø is one of the most successful biathletes of all time. The 31-year-old is, among other things, a 20-time world champion, a five-time Olympic champion and a five-time overall World Cup winner.