Emotional Farewell for ARD Legend: "I've Never Experienced Anything Like This"

Emotional Farewell for ARD Legend: "I've Never Experienced Anything Like This"

Wilfried Hark said farewell during the last biathlon weekend in Oslo after over 30 years at ARD. His final job couldn't have been more memorable.

Not only on the biathlon piste was it a day of farewells - also in the ARD commentary booth.

After 33 years and more than 700 races, it was fitting that Hark would be covering the women's mass start with the overall World Cup showdown between Franziska Preuß and Lou Jeanmonnot. Moderator Michael Antwerpes mentioned this before handing over to the 64-year-old commentator.

"I’m tearing up a bit here. I've never experienced anything like this," said Hark, referring to the dramatic decision regarding the overall crystal ball and how he got to comment on such a thrilling race as his farewell.

Hark noted even before the protest was retracted that Jeanmonnot's fall situation was unintentional and he saw no chance for success in it.

Hark had already been emotionally sent off from ARD's athletics team prior to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where he had also been a part for over 30 years. He joined the Norddeutscher Rundfunk back in 1991 and has since been a staple during major athletics and winter sports events.