Five-time Olympic champion Johannes Thingnes Boe to retire at end of biathlon season – ‘It has been amazing’

Johannes Thingnes Boe has moved his retirement forward to the end of the biathlon season having previously claimed he would call it a day after the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Norwegian star has won the Biathlon World Cup Overall title five times and has eight Olympic medals to his name – including five golds.

The 31-year-old, who is widely considered one of the greatest biathlete of all time, won his first Olympic gold in the men’s 20km individual biathlon at the 2018 Winter Olympics before coming out on top in the 10km sprint, the 15km mass start, the 4×7.5km relay and the mixed relay in Beijing four years later.

“For 13 years I have been part of the best national team in the world, with the world’s best sponsors behind me,” he said. “The last six seasons I have combined top sports with family life.

“It has been amazing, but also challenging. “Now I feel that the time has come to prioritise the family.

“According to the plan, I was supposed to continue for another year, but the Olympic commitment requires even more, also from those around me.

“I still love to compete but competition days are few compared to all the other days.

“Let’s enjoy the last races together, before we finish with a bang in Holmenkollen in 20-23. March!”

Thingnes Boe claimed his fifth Biathlon World Cup crystal globe in March of last year, having also won the competition in the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons.

He also boasts the second most race wins of any biathlete across the World Cup, World Championships and Olympics, behind Ole Einar Bjorndalen.

Despite having his compatriot’s record in his sights, Thingnes Boe looks set to call it a day at the Holmenkollen Biathlon World Cup event in March.