During a press preference in Ruhpolding today, Johannes Thingnes Boe provided a shock announcement that he will end his career after the 2025 BMW IBU World Cup Season Finals in Holmenkollen.

Boe is one of the most successful biathletes in the history of the sport with 20 World Championship titles, 5 Olympic Gold Medals and 5 Total Score titles, currently leading in the 2024-2025 season as well.

"Originally I planned to continue another year but the Olympics crave even more from me and those around me."

“Not enough to keep going”

Before today, it was expected that JT would retire after next year’s Milan/Cortina Olympic Games, but that is now out the window. His swan song will be in his home Oslo Holmenkollen Ski stadium in March. Continuing his emotion-filled comments, he added, “I know I could manage to win more often because I have a wonderful gift. I hardly have to train to be number one, but it is not enough to keep going for another year.”

“It takes a lot out of you”

This season, the Yellow Bib has struggled at times and was particularly disappointed with his career-worst 85th place in this week’s Ruhpolding Men’s 20 km Individual. Although hugely talented, he knows the work it takes to stay at the top. “It takes a lot out of you and the people around you to remain number one in the sport.”

Those words maybe the key to his retirement. JT now has two children who need more attention as they grow older and the Norwegian star does not want to miss any more of their childhood. “The next races and points are not as important when you have a family.”

“I am very motivated…to defend the Yellow Bib”

Before today, JT, with 88 career wins, was chasing Ole Einar Bjoerndalen’s record of 95 World Cup victories, reiterating that goal after his three victories this season. Yet, he has not given up on this season. “I am very motivated to finish as well as possible and defend the Yellow Bib.” Reaching that will give the Norwegian his sixth World Cup Total Score title.

Since his biggest rival Martin Fourcade retired in 2020, JT has dominated the sport, going through the 2022/23 season undefeated in sprints, and winning countless sprint pursuit doubles as well as four Gold medals in the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games and five Golds at the 2023 IBU World Championships in Oberhof.

Podium Successes

Boe’s dominance shows up in his many medals and titles, but one statistic stands out. As of today, JT has been on the podium 206 times in 348 World Cup starts including relays and mixed relays. This is a staggering 60% success rate. By comparison, Bjoerndalen had 256 podiums in 580 starts, 45%!

Closing the press conference earlier today, the undoubtably one of the greatest of all-time admitted that leaving now was the right thing for him and his family. “In 20 years, when my children move out, I certainly will not regret it.”

Photos: IBU/Svoboda, Nordic Focus