Bang in the biathlon! Record world champion Marte Olsbu Røiseland will end her career after the season finale in Oslo.
This was confirmed by the Norwegian on Tuesday morning at a press conference. The TV stations “NRK” and “TV2” had previously reported the plans in unison.
“Biathlon will always be in my heart. That’s why it’s very special and very emotional to be standing here today and saying that Kollen will be my last World Cup race,” said Røiseland, who is starting her biathlon career after the World Cup -Final at Holmenkollen (March 16-19) over.
“It feels strange. It’s very sad, but it also feels incredibly right. I’m really looking forward to what life has to offer,” revealed the emotional biathlon star.
With 13 gold medals, Røiseland is the sole record world champion. In addition, the Scandinavian was able to celebrate three Olympic triumphs and an overall World Cup victory.
Tough biathlon season for Røiseland
However, the current season has not been easy for the biathlon star. Røiseland was thrown back at the beginning of health.
She suffered from shingles during preparation in the fall, after which her body “didn’t want to take part” in the great strain of training. After a few months, Røiseland began to have doubts as to whether “the body would ever function again”, she revealed to “Verdens Gang”. The three-time Olympic champion from Beijing had to struggle to regain her form.
Just in time for the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, things started to improve for the Norwegian. Røiseland won gold in the mixed relay and the single mixed relay. The bronze medal jumped out in the pursuit.
Bjørndalen ennobles Røiseland as a “biathlon icon”
“She has had a crazy career. She wasn’t the greatest talent when she was young, but she has achieved a lot in her career,” Ole Einar Bjørndalen ennobled his compatriot on “TV2”.
Røiseland is a “biathlon icon”, according to the record world champion. “She has also prepared well for the World Championships. It would have been almost impossible to collect medals at this year’s World Championships the way the preparation went,” said the Norwegian winter sports legend, referring to Røiseland’s ordeal.
“Then she won three races in Nove Mesto. Despite the miserable preparation, she has had a great season,” said Bjørndalen.