Daniel-Andre Tande, Olympic Champion, Announces Retirement from Ski Jumping

Daniel-Andre Tande, Olympic Champion, Announces Retirement from Ski Jumping

Originally published in Przegląd Sportowy Onet on September 11, 2024

Daniel-Andre Tande, the esteemed Norwegian ski jumper and Olympic champion, has made the heart-wrenching announcement of his retirement from the sport. In a candid revelation, Tande shared that the emotional trauma stemming from a grave accident during a ski jump at Planica has influenced his decision. He described an overwhelming sense of fear that gripped him whenever he approached the jump, contrasting sharply with the exhilaration he once experienced while competing.

This choice comes on the heels of a challenging season, during which he managed to amass a mere 90 points in the World Cup standings—a disappointing result for an athlete of his caliber. The pivotal moment occurred at the close of the 2020/2021 season, when a miscalculation during a jump led to a violent fall on the landing slope. Although he bravely returned to competition afterward, the psychological toll of the incident has proven insurmountable, ultimately leading to his retirement.

Tande's illustrious career highlights include a gold medal from the 2018 Winter Olympics as a key member of the Norwegian team, in addition to four world championship titles, marking him as one of the sport's greats.