Tiril Eckhoff: Norwegian biathlon icon set to retire - 'I feel incredibly lucky to have lived the dream'
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Published 16/03/2023 at 09:51 GMT
Norway's two-time biathlon Olympic champion and 10-time World Championship gold medallist Tiril Eckhoff has announced her retirement from the sport. "I have experienced a lot and feel incredibly lucky to have lived the dream life as a biathlete for over 15 years" the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram. Her most recent success came in 2022 when she won both the sprint and the pursuit in Holmenkollen.
Highlights: Laegreid and Eckhoff claim sprint success as Maillet secures World Cup
Norwegian biathlon star Tiril Eckhoff has announced her retirement from the sport.
Eckhoff posted a statement on social media that said she was proud of what she achieved in the sport but feels it’s the right decision to step aside.
The 32-year-old is a two-time Olympic champion having secured gold as part of Norway’s mixed relay team at Sochi 2014 before repeating the feat at the most recent Games at Beijing 2022.
She has also won Olympic silvers in the relay, mixed relay and mass start disciplines over three Games, as well as two bronzes in the mass start and one in the pursuit.
Eckhoff has also won 10 World Championship golds and topped the overall biathlon World Cup standings in 2021.
Her most recent success came in March 2022 when she won both the sprint and the pursuit in Holmenkollen in her home nation.
On Instagram, she wrote: “I started biathlon because my older siblings, Stian and Kaja were doing it - I wanted to be as good as them.
“This goal has taken me further than I ever dreamed it would be. I have experienced a lot and feel incredibly lucky to have lived the dream life as a biathlete for over 15 years.
“I got to experience becoming a world champion at home in 2016. It's a day I will never forget and it will forever remain as the best memory of my sports career.
“In March last year, I won two races in Holmenkollen. I didn't know then that these would be my last victories as a biathlete - the plan was to keep going. When I give up now, I still think that I give up on top - I finished with two wins at home in front of a fantastic crowd, friends and my closest family.
“It's a little sad to give up, but at the same time, I also feel it's the right decision. I'm proud of what I've achieved and will always look back on the years of biathlon with a smile.”
“This goal has taken me further than I ever dreamed it would be. I have experienced a lot and feel incredibly lucky to have lived the dream life as a biathlete for over 15 years.
“I got to experience becoming a world champion at home in 2016. It's a day I will never forget and it will forever remain as the best memory of my sports career.
“In March last year, I won two races in Holmenkollen. I didn't know then that these would be my last victories as a biathlete - the plan was to keep going. When I give up now, I still think that I give up on top - I finished with two wins at home in front of a fantastic crowd, friends and my closest family.
“It's a little sad to give up, but at the same time, I also feel it's the right decision. I'm proud of what I've achieved and will always look back on the years of biathlon with a smile.”
The news comes following the announcement from fellow Norwegian biathlete Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, who will also be retiring.
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