The back and forth about Einar Hedegart’s sporting future has recently made a lot of headlines. The 24-year-old, who won two gold medals in cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, expressed his interest in switching to biathlon, then made a U-turn because he was not guaranteed a place in the Norwegian elite team – and then decided to try his luck as a ski hunter in 2026/2027. Now the FIS reacted to the much-noticed change.
Einar Hedegart wants to shake up the biathlon circus. The two-time cross-country skiing Olympic champion and the Norwegian Biathlon Association recently confirmed this after some back and forth.
It is also clear that while ski hunters gain an attraction, cross-country skiing loses a real draw. The FIS has now commented on this.
“The moment when he decided to do biathlon again,” the umbrella organization wrote with an open touch of humor on its Instagram account about a photo that shows Hedegart after the 10-kilometer race at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The youngster sits exhausted on the ground, his compatriot Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, who secured gold, is smiling at his side.
“We like to tease biathlon, our close relative”
The FIS then turned to Hedegart with due respect: “But seriously: Congratulations, Einar, on your season. You started with a daring plan – and more than exceeded all expectations. You surprised a lot of people and brought a spectacular style to cross-country skiing with your technique and this incredible speed,” it says. Hedegart is also described as a “great athlete” and “definitely one of the fastest skaters in the world.”
And further: “We like to tease biathlon, our close relative, a little, but always with great respect. […] We wish you all the best, Einar – that you stay just as fast on your skis, even if there are a few stops along the way, and that you continue to hit your targets… not just at the shooting range, but perhaps one day with the goal of becoming the first athlete in history to win Olympic gold in both disciplines.”
