Jarl Magnus Riiber Retires After the Season: ‘I Feel Like a Prisoner’

Jarl Magnus Riiber, the renowned Nordic combined athlete, revealed during a digital press briefing that he will be retiring at the end of the season. In a candid discussion, he explained that after years of competing at the highest level, he has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that will affect his life indefinitely.

Riiber recounted that the last few months had been extremely challenging, marked by little opportunity for proper training and numerous hospital visits. He described feeling like a prisoner in his own life due to the relentless demands of his condition.

Despite these hardships, Riiber managed to secure three World Cup victories this season. However, with a series of setbacks—including a slow start to the season due to dental pain and subsequent stomach issues, as well as an earlier knee operation—he has decided that the time has come to leave the sport. His decision, made at just 27 years old, marks the end of an illustrious career in Nordic combined, leaving a lasting impact on fans and fellow athletes alike.