PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The world of biathlon has been shaken up in a short time.
After the shock news that as many as four star skaters are ending their careers.
– I could not have counted on that, admits the Swedish expert Uschi Disl in Radiosporten.
In recent days, the entire sport of biathlon has had to receive several unexpected blows. Within a very short time, as many as four of the World Cup’s biggest names have chosen to end their successful careers.
Four tough messages
It started with the Norwegian superstar Marte Olsbu Röiseland who chose to put the rifle and skis on the famous shelf the other day. On the same day, the German hero also announced Denise Herrmann-Wick that the career ends after the season.
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Then it was time for the French star skater Anais Chevalier-Bouchet to announce his decision to retire. Just a few hours later came the next shock message when even the Norwegian star Tiril Eckhoff announced that his career has come to an end.
READ MORE: WC hero Linn Persson has now had enough – is forced to make a drastic decision immediately after the season: “There are plans for it”
The Swedish shock
These four big names will leave a huge void behind them for the next season of the Biathlon World Cup. In total, the quartet has taken a total of 131 podium places over the years and accounted for 58 victories during the World Cup.
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The Swedish expert Uschi Disl can understand some of the riders, while some of the news come as real surprises for her.
– Yes, but it was partly expected and partly very surprising. I didn’t think that Marte Olsbu Röiseland would stop after she fought her way back to the World Cup again. With Tiril Eckhoff, people still thought that it could happen, because she really had big problems with her health. Denise Herrmann-Wick I have heard some rumors in Germany that it could happen. But I couldn’t have counted on Anais Chevalier-Bouchet, says Disl, who is an expert in biathlon at Radiosporten.
READ MORE: Calle Halfvarsson’s clever answer to Petter Northug – after the Norwegian apologized: “He’s right”
When such big competitors disappear, it will really open up for the Swedish riders to take over even more next season. Above all, the Norwegian rivals Röiseland and Eckhoff will be a big loss for the dominant Norway.
– Yes, but they are big profiles in Norway. They have both been very successful, real stars and it will not be easy to replace them, says Disl to the radio channel.
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