Biathlon: Sports World Shocked After Thingnes Bø Announcement

Johannes Thingnes Bø took the entire shooting sports world by surprise when he sat down on the podium in Ruhpolding on Saturday morning. At just 31 years old, and still the undisputed best biathlete in the world, the Norwegian decided to retire.

Among those affected the most was teammate Sturla Holm Lægreid. He was visibly shaken when NRK spoke to him on Saturday.

“It’s emotional. Especially since Johannes is so emotional. We can see that this means a lot to him — and to everyone else around him. He has been a role model, a pillar, and a guiding star. Saying goodbye to Johannes this morning was sad,” he told NRK.

Throughout the conversation, Lægreid completely broke down, taking several pauses.

“Personally, he has been number one. I would never have been this good without having Johannes to strive for. It was a shock for me, but surely also for others. He earns a lot of respect for that choice.”

The emotional moment Lægreid shared that there was a tense atmosphere when Thingnes Bø broke the news to his teammates in the morning hours.

“I couldn’t say anything. All I could do was give him a hug,” he said.

Older brother Tarjei Bø learned of the news at the end of the Christmas holidays.

“I was probably the only one in the family circle who knew it. So in that sense, I was prepared. But when the whole family gathers in one room, it becomes intense,” he said to NRK.

“At the same time, I see that there are other things he values more. I see many more sides of him that not everyone sees. It’s probably more surprising for others than it is for me,” Tarjei Bø continued.

Still, the elder brother admitted that it was tough to watch him at the press conference on Saturday.

“Yes, that was the hardest thing, of course. Because I don’t often see him cry. You can see your brother feeling those emotions; he said very nice words about me. Of course, I had to wipe away tears,” he said.

“A wet dream” Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold described Thingnes Bø as a “fantastic athlete and a great role model.”

“I am incredibly impressed by the unattainable results Johannes has delivered over so many years, but perhaps most impressed by how he has managed to balance his sports career with his family life outside of biathlon,” Tandrevold wrote in a message to NRK.

Teammate Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen also praised his teammate, joking that he has also been a major competitor.

“Thank you for your impossible journey, you wet dream, and a horrible nightmare at the same time,” Sjåstad Christiansen wrote in a personal post.

The coach, Egil Kristiansen, expressed surprise at what Thingnes Bø was going to say when he called the team for a meeting that morning; the answer came as a shock.

“Norwegian biathlon is naturally losing an incredibly skilled athlete who has delivered amazing results over so many years. But for me and the rest of the team, and perhaps Norwegian biathlon, it’s about losing him as a person. He is fantastic,” Kristiansen said.

Juni Arnekleiv also highlighted his human qualities.

“Johannes is one of those people who is the world’s best biathlete, but he is still so simple and easy to talk to. I’m incredibly grateful that I got to race that relay with him in Anterselva last year. We won, Karoline, Johannes and Tarjei and I. I’ll always remember that.”

Sadness across the sport After the shocking announcement, tributes poured in. Dorothea Wierer shared that she was eating breakfast when she saw the news on social media.

“I was really shocked. I think it’s a bit sad because everyone likes him. But it’s also nice that he prioritizes family after so many years. I hope he can end his career on a high note and win the overall World Cup. That would be nice for him,” said the Italian star to NRK.

“What a champion. What a man. This decision shows that the man behind even is more inspiring than the champion,” wrote Martin Fourcade on Instagram.

The Frenchman is the all-time third most-winning in the World Cup, surpassed only by Thingnes Bø and Ole Einar Bjørndalen.

Swedish Sebastian Samuelsson has often found himself defeated by the Norwegian.

“Congratulations on an incredible career. It has been amazing to compete against you in the track and at the firing line. Thank you for everything you’ve done,” wrote the Swede in a comment to Thingnes Bø, who first announced the news on his own Instagram account.

Northug: ‘It was a bit apparent to him’ Thingnes Bø’s teammates, both current and former, have also left several touching messages in the comment field.

“No one over, no one beside. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey,” wrote Sturla Holm Lægreid.

“Thank you for an amazing career,” said Tiril Eckhoff.

Cross-country stars had barely crossed the finish line during the Norwegian Championships at Gåsbu when they heard about Thingnes Bø’s decision.

“Johannes Thingnes Bø? In jøsse navn. No, that was sad news. It’s surprising when there’s an Olympics next year,” said Heidi Weng.

Langrennskongen Petter Northug is impressed by what Thingnes Bø has accomplished.

“It’s Johannes who knows best, and it’s probably a right assessment when he has made this decision. He is one of the greatest biathletes in history. He can deservedly kick back,” Northug told NRK, emphasizing that he knows what it’s like to retire after a long career.

“He has had a fantastic career. But I think I’ve seen that a little in him, too. It’s something about the jug filling up to the end, and when it says stop, it stops very quickly. It’s good that he’s not dragging it on longer,” Northug continued.

Surprised Johaug Therese Johaug has also felt the pressure of retirement decisions. Devastated by the news, she understands Thingnes Bø’s choice.

“It took me by surprise. I thought he would get to the Olympics next year, but on the other hand, I understand him very well. He has two small children at home, and it takes its mental toll to put in the training volumes he needs to be at the level he wants,” she told NRK.

“So if he feels the air starting to leak, I support him a hundred percent. It’s tough to have children at home and aim for a hundred percent — and he has two,” Johaug said.