Johannes Thingnes Bø has announced his resignation. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Farewell in tears: Bø retires

An era is coming to an end: biathlon superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø announced on Saturday during the World Cup in Ruhpolding that he is ending his illustrious career.

18 January 2025

From: Leo/dpa

The Norwegian tried to read the first sentence of his resignation from his cell phone, but the record world champion's voice broke and tears immediately ran down his face. "That's really hard," said Bø on the podium and wiped his moist eyes. The 31-year-old was overwhelmed by his emotions again and again when he announced on Saturday, completely unexpectedly, that he would end his unique career after this season.

Biathlon is losing its superstar, who is leaving a year earlier than he had originally planned. The Winter Olympics in Italy next year will take place without the five-time gold medalist and 20-time world champion. "I know that I could manage to win more often because I have an incredible gift. I hardly have to train to be number one," said Bø. "But it's not enough to keep going for another year."

Family more important than victories

The past few years have taken their toll on Bø. "It takes a lot out of you and the people around you to remain number 1 in your sport," he said. The five-time overall World Cup winner is now looking forward to spending time with his family. At home, the 31-year-old is waiting for his wife Hedda and his children Gustav and Sofia. "The next races and points are not quite as important when you have a family," said Bø. He posted an emotional photo with his two children on Instagram to announce his retirement.

"I'm very motivated to finish as well as possible and defend yellow," said Bø. The goal is overall World Cup victory number six before he takes off his skis for the last time after a competition on March 23 after the mass start at his home race at Holmenkollen, high above Norway's capital Oslo. "I'm ready for the next chapter," said Bø.

One of the greatest of all time: Johannes Thingnes Bø. © AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

"This decision shows that the man is even more inspiring than the champion," wrote his former French rival Martin Fourcade. His teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid, who is only 48 points behind Bø in the overall World Cup, wrote: "Nobody above, nobody below. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey." He praised Bø as GOAT: Greatest Of All Time.

He was invited to his farewell press conference less than two hours before the 12.00:XNUMX noon appointment, and hardly anyone had expected the world's best ski hunter to make this decision at this time. "I want you all to know," said Bø. One day earlier, he had finished fourth as the final runner in the Norwegian relay team at the World Cup in Chiemgau.

One record after another

Bø made his World Cup debut in 2013 and has set many records in his career. With 20 World Cup gold medals, the perennial winner is the record world champion together with fellow countryman Ole Einar Björndalen. The exceptional talent from Stryn wants to claim the sole record at his last World Championships in Lenzerheide from February 12 to 23.

A legend: Johannes Thingnes Bø © ANSA / RONALD WITTEK

He has also achieved 79 World Cup victories and a total of 88 career successes. Only Björndalen is ahead of him in this statistic with a total of 95 successes. In individual races, Bø has been on the podium 135 times (88 victories). In addition, there are 72 podiums (42 victories) in the relay competitions. In 2023, Bø made the World Championships in Oberhof his festival when he became the first male biathlete to win seven medals at a World Championship - five of them gold. Oberhof was jokingly called "Boeberhof". He also managed to win eleven races in a row in the winter of 2022/2023, including the World Championships. In the 2018/19 season, Bø won 19 victories, another record that no one will probably reach any time soon.

The fact that he is leaving is now irrevocable, stressed Bø, adding: "In 20 years, when my children move out, I certainly won't regret it." On Sunday (12.30 p.m.) he will compete again in the mass start in Ruhpolding. He has no plans for the time after his career. "But I will definitely stay loyal to biathlon in some form."