One of the greatest ever Norwegian athletes, professional biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen announced his retirement in 2018 at the age of 44. Bjørndalen remains a respected voice within the sport.
The most successful ever male Winter Olympian, Ole Einar Bjørndalen is a true Norwegian sporting icon.
He dominated the sport of biathlon for two decades, winning eight Winter Olympic gold medals and an astonishing 20 world titles in a glittering career. Without doubt, Bjørndalen is one of Norway's most famous skiers.
A Different Kind of Success in South Korea
A disappointing 2017–18 season meant that Ole Einar Bjørndalen was not selected for what would have been his seventh Olympic Games. It was a rare absence for one of the sport’s most consistent performers.
The omission marked the end of an era, as he had competed in every Winter Olympics from 1994 Lillehammer to 2014 Sochi.
While his own Olympic medal tally remained at 13, another Norwegian legend, Marit Bjørgen, surpassed his record at Pyeongchang by earning her 15th Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time.
Despite not being on the start line himself, Bjørndalen was far from sidelined. He took on a new role in South Korea as a personal coach and close supporter of his wife, Darya Domracheva, the Belarusian biathlon star.
His experience and insight proved invaluable, as Domracheva delivered a strong performance during the Games.
She won silver in the individual 15km event and helped lead the Belarusian women’s team to a surprise gold medal in the 4x6km relay, anchoring the final leg with one of her trademark clean shooting performances under pressure.
Bjørndalen's presence behind the scenes may not have garnered medals of his own, but his influence was clearly felt. His support during Domracheva’s final Olympic appearance offered a poignant reminder that his legacy in biathlon extends well beyond his personal achievements.
An Emotional Retirement
An emotional Bjørndalen was forced to quit the sport following a series of health concerns, he admitted at a news conference in which he announced his retirement.
“My motivation is unstoppable, you know that, and I feel that it (biathlon) is just as much fun today. I would have liked to have had another year, but this is my last season”.
Known for his diligent preparation, the Norwegian said had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which could lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. He also revealed he had suffered from heart palpitations recently.
He went on to describe the treatment he received from the medical team who have worked tirelessly to keep Bjørndalen in shape. “I responded well and I got very good help form my medical team, but I was always trying to catch up”.
No-one Better in Biathlon
With roots in Scandinavian military training, the biathlon is a uniquely demanding winter sport that combines the endurance and speed of cross-country skiing with the calm precision of rifle shooting.
Athletes must ski set distances while stopping at intervals to shoot at five small targets from both standing and prone positions. It’s a test of physical stamina, mental focus, and the ability to control heart rate under extreme pressure.
Depending on the competition format, missed shots lead to time penalties or additional 150-metre penalty loops, which can dramatically alter the outcome of a race. Success in biathlon requires athleticism, but also meticulous preparation, consistency, and nerves of steel.
Few have mastered this blend of skills like Ole Einar Bjørndalen. Over the course of his two-decade career, he amassed 95 individual World Cup victories, making him the most successful biathlete in the history of the sport.
His closest rival, French-Catalan biathlete Martin Fourcade, trails far behind in terms of total wins, though their rivalry in the later years of Bjørndalen’s career helped bring global attention to the sport.
Bjørndalen won the Overall World Cup title six times, showcasing his consistency across an entire season of events and disciplines. He also secured an astonishing 13 Olympic medals across five Olympic Games, including eight golds, four silvers, and one bronze.
Bjørndalen's Life After Biathlon
Since retiring from competition, Bjørndalen has stayed closely involved in the sport that defined his life.
In 2018, he and Domracheva were appointed joint head coaches of the Chinese biathlon team, helping to prepare athletes for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Their involvement was seen as part of China’s effort to rapidly raise its competitiveness in winter sports.
The coaching duo stepped down following the Beijing Games, after which Bjørndalen has continued to commentate on biathlon events for Norwegian and international broadcasters. He has also worked as a mentor to younger Norwegian athletes, offering insight into elite performance and mental preparation.
In 2023, he returned to the public eye as a central figure in Norway’s bid to bring the Biathlon World Championships back to Holmenkollen. His support was seen as instrumental in securing international backing for Oslo as a host city.
Although he has not taken on an official leadership role within the International Biathlon Union (IBU), Bjørndalen remains a respected voice within the sport, frequently consulted on issues such as athlete development, anti-doping, and the future of biathlon in a changing climate.
Now based in Austria with his wife and daughter, Bjørndalen continues to enjoy the outdoors and speaks passionately about giving back to the sport that gave him so much: “I still love biathlon. It’s not about results anymore, it’s about supporting the next generation and helping the sport grow.”
