Biathlon icon criticizes World Cup hosts: “C-Team”

“It's a home World Cup, there's a gold medal to be won and Germany have fielded a C team. If they had put together the best team, they would have been almost certain of a medal,” said the 49-year-old record world champion, who was in Oberhof as an expert for the Norwegian broadcaster TV2 works. The German team competed without sprint world champion Denise Herrmann-Wick and former world champion Benedikt Doll; World Cup debutante Sophia Schneider and Philipp Nawrath only managed sixth place. Norway, on the other hand, had lined up its best with its top stars Johannes Thingnes Bö and the new record world champion Marte Olsbu Röiseland, like other top nations. Italy took bronze with Lisa Vittozzi and Tommaso Giacomel. “If they had fielded the best team, they would have been almost guaranteed a medal.” Ole Einar Björndalen about the German single mixed relay If Germany, as one of the biggest engines in the international biathlon circus, had a line-up like this, the competition should not have been held in the first place, said the eight-time Olympic champion: “Then Germany simply has to say that we no longer want this discipline, that it one event is too many. Then they have to be clear about it.” National coach defends himself National coach Mark Kirchner said after the race: “You also have to ask the athletes – and if athletes aren’t 100 percent ready for it, then there’s no point in fielding them.” After gold and silver, Herrmann-Wick wanted one Break to be fit for the relay and mass start at the weekend.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Biathlon icon criticizes World Cup hosts: “C-Team”

Norway's biathlon icon Ole Einar Björndalen has clearly criticized the Germans' World Cup lineup in the single mixed relay.

Comments (0)