Right now he is the best in the world. Then comes the shock news that Johannes Thingnes Bö will end his career after the season, only 31 years old.
– I am incredibly proud, and eternally grateful, says the teary-eyed Norwegian at a press conference.
Johannes Thingnes Bö is currently leading the overall World Cup, and is the best in the world just like many years before. Now the Norwegian announces on Instagram that he ends his career after the season.
According to Thingnes Bö, it’s about him wanting to “prioritize the family”.
“According to the plan, I would continue for another year, but the Olympic commitment demands even more, also from those around me. I still love to compete but the competition days are few compared to all other days,” he writes.
With 88 individual World Cup victories, he is the second most successful World Cup biathlete ever. In addition to his five overall World Cup victories, he has also won the Distance World Cup twice, the Mass Start Cup twice, the Sprint Cup twice and the Pursuit Start Cup once.
Perhaps at the top of the merit list are his 36 WC medals of which 20 are gold, as well as eight Olympic medals of which five are gold.
Breaks down at press conference
At a press conference, the Norwegian star announced his decision, and then it became emotional for Thingnes Bö, when he explained how important his older brother Tarjei Bö had been.
– We are approaching the end of a dream. A dream that was really ignited when Tarjei became junior world champion in 2006. I was 13 years old and would achieve the same, says Johannes Thingnes Bö and falls into tears.
– It has been a fantastic journey. Thank you for being an exemplary role model for me (Tarjei), he says at the press conference.
Thingnes Bö says he is looking forward to finishing this season, and then putting the gun on the shelf.
– I am incredibly proud, and eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. All biathlon fans, families, friends, sponsors, national teams – thank you, he concludes.