Biathlon : Martin Fourcade’s words on Johannes Thingnes Boe’s retirement
At midday on Saturday, a (very) big earthquake shook the biathlon world. To everyone’s surprise, Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe announced his decision to retire from the sport at the end of the season. All this after he had been saying for months that the end of his life as a biathlete was set for 2026.
It’s surprising, given the announcements he made concerning the end of his career, which seemed to be a foregone conclusion after the Milan/Cortina Olympics,” explains his former rival Martin Fourcade in the columns of Ski Chrono. But knowing a bit about his sensibilities, particularly his family, I’m much less surprised. […] He’s won everything and I don’t think he was in a frenzied hunt for records either, contrary to what his track record might suggest. It’s a courageous decision, which honours him and should appease him.
He will try to free himself to attend Johannes Thingnes Boe’s farewell.
The Catalan with seven crystal globes also says he has “plenty of memories” of Johannes Thingnes Boe. “ And only good ones ,” he says.
“He’s perhaps the only opponent with whom I’ve never had an ambivalent relationship. In a rivalry, you often have a lot of respect for your opponent and at the same time a lot of hatred. But both he and I have spent our entire careers being extremely respectful of what the other could do,” says Martin Fourcade. Even during the 2018 season, the year when, for me, our rivalry was at its strongest, we managed to keep that level-headedness. It’s always been great to be able to compete against each other.
Finally, Martin Fourcade revealed that he was “putting everything in place” to be able to attend Johannes Thingnes Boe’s farewell in Oslo-Holmenkollen (Norway) from 20 to 23 March. ” I’d be extremely happy to be there […] to enjoy the last show he’ll have to offer us,” he concluded.
- Johannes Thingnes Boe to end his career at the end of the season
- Norway shocked and moved by the tears of Johannes Thingnes Boe
- The time has come for Johannes Thingnes Boe to retire: photo album of the Norwegian’s announcement press conference
- “Everyone’s surprised”: Drôme’s Siegfried Mazet’s reaction to the announcement of Johannes Thingnes Boe’s retirement.
