Mystery Surrounding Biathlon Superstar: 'He Is Not Himself'

Mystery Surrounding Biathlon Superstar

Johannes Thingnes Bö is gearing up for a historic season in the Biathlon World Cup. However, his preparation results have been lackluster, prompting biathlon legend Ole Einar Björndalen to weigh in on the situation.

The Norwegian athlete, Johannes Thingnes Bö, often dominates in the tracks, leaving competitors in a distant second place. As the reigning World Cup champion, he is anticipated to be a frontrunner for another title, which would mark his sixth overall.

Moreover, he has the potential to become the sole record holder in World Championship titles. If he secures another gold medal, the 31-year-old will surpass Björndalen's tally of 20 golds. Currently, both of them are tied, making this upcoming season crucial for Bö.

Yet, it appears that the biathlon superstar may be experiencing a dip in form, as indicated by his subpar results during the preparation phase.

Björndalen: 'Bö Seems to Be Struggling'

Ole Einar Björndalen commented in an interview with TV2 that Bö seems to be "struggling with something." He couldn't pinpoint whether it was a physical issue, a mental block, or personal problems, but he clearly noted that Bö is not performing at his best.

Bö displayed unexpected shortcomings in recent preparatory races. In the sprint event held a few days ago in Sjusjön near Lillehammer, he finished only tenth. The following day, he placed seventeenth in the mass start, showing unusual weaknesses on the track.

His final lap time in the sprint was notably slow, prompting commentary from 2006 Olympic champion Michael Rösch, who expressed concern over Bö's body language and motivation during the last round.

Björndalen Believes in a Strong Bö

While Björndalen acknowledges Bö's current challenges, he remains confident in his potential. The two are also competing for the title of the most individual World Cup victories, with Björndalen holding 95 wins compared to Bö's 85.

Björndalen predicted that Bö would regain his form soon, stating, "I think he will be back on snow in four or five days, ready for Kontiolahti. In the Finnish forests, it will smell like fire."

Bö Announces Retirement After 2026 Olympics

Recently, Bö revealed his plans to retire after the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina. In a podcast interview, he stated, "I will not continue. Whether I have 85, 90, or 100 victories doesn’t matter. The date is set, so I need to make the most of the time left until then."