With remarkable openness, Jarl Magnus Riiber announced on Wednesday morning to end his career at the end of the season. Our author was there at this media round and states: The decision itself as to how he communicated it and what the Star combinator has done is not high enough.
When the invitation for the media round of the Norwegian Ski Association fluttered into the mailbox just an hour before the start, one could already assume that something big has to be announced. And so it happened: In his open, relaxed manner, Jarl Magnus Riiber announced with certainty that he will end his career as a Nordic combinator at the end of the season.
The last big highlight of Riiber’s career will therefore be the Nordic Ski World Cup in Trondheim, which takes place from February 26 to March 9. There he will start in all medal decisions as a defending champion after winning four gold two years ago in Planica.
He also had to struggle with health problems in the run -up to this World Cup: due to a parasite, he fought with severe digestive disorders for two weeks and therefore took a one -month break.
“Injuries and illnesses made me the time of my career.
Yes, he is used to fighting more with health than most athletes around him. Yes, from his junior years he brings “a certain robustness and mentality in order to be able to deal with it.” But: “Only a few people know how much energy and effort it cost me to become the world’s best Nordic combiner. Only my closest confidants can really understand this level of dedication.”
Riiber’s declaration of withdrawal is unprecedented transparent and open
And it was precisely this effort to present the 27-year-old as openly as possible, which he did more than just. With increasing duration of the half -hour media round, it was forgotten that an athlete explained there. It was more and more people and made many things tangible, even if you “only” talked to him via the Internet.
Despite the many competition breaks in the combiners’ World Cup calendar, Riiber has been able to spend just three weeks with his family since September. “This is bearable for one season, especially when the home World Cup in Trondheim is due.”
Even if he should go away empty-handed, of which it is not mandatory, eight gold and three silver medals from World Championships are already hanging at home. The five large crystal balls, which he collected through his overall World Cup victory, could still get company, after all, he currently leads the overall ranking. He can also further expand his record statistics of 76 World Cups and 28 other podium places.
Riiber’s ease despite long medical records amazed
Despite the many malaises and injuries that he suffered again and again, he always managed to continue jumping with less attempts than the competition and on the cross -country ski run to determine the pace or to go with it to dream of his opponents to the home stretch and Then let it stand – with a ease that is second to none.
“I don’t need the perfect race to be able to win competitions. All I need is a good jump so that I can be in front from the start. Then I always have a chance to win, even if I have injuries Or had or had diseases, “he characterized himself when asked by sport.de Very aptly.
Riiber knows best to deal with his qualities and also with them, but does not appear arrogant, but remains open and down -to -earth. And so he did not forget to mention the man who prompted him to become the best Nordic combiner in the world: Eric Frenzel. “His yellow jersey always means most of it and was the reason why I trained every day,” he said.
But the Norwegian also knows about the victims and hardships who have added up in his career. “What I do to be able to be at the forefront is extreme and has overturned my body here and there after breaks that I had to take. That certainly also caused other problems afterwards.”
And if what your own internal drive is, namely to fight for victories and podium places, do not give a joy to an athlete, the right time has really come to say goodbye to competitive sports or “lev vel”. And although the Olympic Gold Medal is the only title that he will be missing, Jarl Magnus Riiber certainly does not appear as an unfinished one.