Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold has heart problems. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

Heart problems force biathlon star to withdraw

Norwegian biathlete Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold is struggling with cardiac arrhythmia. After the four-time world champion was close to abandoning the World Cup in Kontiolahti, she has now pulled the ripcord.

08 December 2024

From: dpa/nie

As the Norwegian association announced, Tandrevold will neither take part in the mass start in Kontiolahti, Finland (Sunday, 17.10 p.m.) nor tackle the World Cup stop in Hochfilzen next weekend. Instead, Tandrevold will travel back to her home country and receive care there.

"From a purely medical point of view, there would have been nothing to stop me from starting today," said Tandrevold. "I have a heart rhythm disorder, which means that my heart sometimes beats faster than normal." This only happens occasionally, she said. But she had problems in both the individual race and the sprint and had to stop on the track. She lost a lot of time in the process.

"I had a small problem with my heart during the second attempt. That made it difficult to shoot and it took me quite a long time," she said after the individual event last Wednesday. "After I had finished shooting, it didn't stop. Then it was difficult to continue skiing the way I wanted." In the end, she was the second slowest biathlete on the track - but that didn't stop her from starting in the sprint.

Tandrevold was close to demolition

However, after her 32nd place on Saturday, Tandrevold had to admit that she did not have everything under control at times. "Today I was perhaps closer than ever to abandoning a ski race, I admit that. I was pretty nervous," she admitted.

Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold has to take a break. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Now the third-placed athlete in the overall World Cup last season is taking a break from competition and is hoping for a quick recovery. "Ingrid needs rest and recovery," said Aasne Fenne Hoksrud, the women's team's doctor. "We are in contact with a cardiologist to assess the next steps." It is still unclear when Tandrevold will be back in action.