Two Olympic bronze medals at the 2018 Games, a total of five World Cup medals and a permanent guest in the top 10 in the World Cup: Benedikt Doll is currently the figurehead of German men’s biathlon. Now the 32-year-old spoke very specifically about the end of his career.
In the winter of 2023/24 he will try his best again at the shooting range and on the cross-country ski run, and then it should be over. This was explained by Germany’s biathlon star Benedikt Doll in an interview with the “Sportschau”.
Speculations have recently been circulating that the 2017 sprint world champion could soon end his career. However, Doll refuted this.
“It’s still fun for me and I’m still motivated, and I still feel physically fit,” explained the ski hunter and added: “I want to attack again.”
“No obstacle” for biathlon winter 2023/24
“I can combine it well with my family. My son is getting older now and can come with me more often,” Doll also explained why he still wants to face the Bone Mill Biathlon World Cup a bit.
There is “no obstacle to another season. My wife supports me and thinks it’s good,” said Doll. At the same time, however, he also ruled out that he would back away from his decision to end in 2024.
The focus now, however, is on the immediate sporting success. “If everything goes perfectly, then the podium is possible,” said Doll about the upcoming races: “But finishing in the top ten or top 15 is the goal.”
Doll, who has won three World Cup individual races in his career so far, celebrated his best result of the season in the Annecy sprint, when he finished third on the podium.
Like his teammates, Doll missed out on a medal at the home World Championships in Oberhof. However, the expectations for the end of the season have not increased. “I don’t think I’ll put extra pressure on myself after the World Cup,” said Doll.