Biathlon Dominator Makes Statement to German Stars

Statement to German Biathlon Stars

A few weeks before the World Cup kick-off in biathlon, superstar Johannes Thingnes Bö sends a direct warning to his competitors. The Norwegian athlete holds the German biathlon stars accountable as well.

Johannes Thingnes Bö, who won the overall Biathlon World Cup in the 2023/24 season, is in attack mode as the new season begins on November 30 in Kontiolahti, Finland. "My batteries are charged and I am in attack mode. My body is in good shape, and my shooting is going well. Now it's just about putting the pieces together," said the biathlon dominator in an interview with Le Dauphine, clearly signaling his intent to outperform the competition.

As a strong favorite for the upcoming season, Bö also desires more competition from other nations. Last season’s standings showed a nearly Norwegian monopoly, with Norwegian athletes taking six of the top seven spots, the only exception being Frenchman Emilien Jacquelin finishing sixth.

Bö Calls for Stronger Competition

Bö emphasized that having long-term dominance by a single nation isn't beneficial for the sport. "We need the Swedes, the French, the Germans, and everyone else," he insisted, specifically putting pressure on the DSV (German Ski Association) team, as no German male athlete managed to reach the top ten last season with Johannes Kühn and Benedikt Doll finishing twelfth and thirteenth respectively.

This season, Bö sees the French team as his primary competitors. "I think they will be our biggest rivals," he remarked while noting the recent challenges faced by the French team.

World Championship Highlight

The upcoming biathlon winter season will commence with the World Cup in Kontiolahti later this month, with the season's pinnacle being the World Championships scheduled from February 10 to 23, 2025, in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.