The end of an era: The Boe brothers say goodbye to biathlon

The end of an era: The Boe brothers say goodbye to biathlon

On March 24, 2025, the renowned biathletes Johannes Thingnes Boe and Tarjei Boe will end their impressive careers in the mass start at Holmenkollen in Oslo. Johannes unexpectedly announced his retirement during the World Cup in Ruhpolding, followed by his brother Tarjei a week later. These two athletes, who shaped the sport of biathlon for over a decade, leave an important legacy for the next generation of athletes and fans. Johannes Boe, who at the age of 31 now wants to have more time for his family - and especially for his two sons - made his debut in the World Cup in Antholz on January 20, 2013.

During the career of Johannes Boe, who is considered the record world champion, winning an arbitrary 80 World Cup races and numerous titles, he received a lot of support from his brother. Tarjei Boe, who was already one of the top stars in biathlon before Johannes and had won the overall World Cup, always celebrated his younger brother's successes without envy or resentment. The special relationship between the two brothers has greatly influenced the sporting events in biathlon and contributed to their successes serving as inspiration for many young athletes.

An era is coming to an end

The retirement of the Boe brothers marks the end of an era in biathlon laola1.at determines. Johannes Boe won gold medals in all individual events as well as in the mixed and single mixed relay at the 2023 World Championships in Oberhof. With a total of 23 gold medals, he became the record world champion and made himself immortal in the history of the sport. Biathlon has changed significantly in the last few decades, which is not least due to the achievements of these two athletes.

Biathlon has its roots in the 18th century, when Swedish and Norwegian border guards held a race. Originally closely linked to the military, the sport has developed over the years into one of the most popular winter sports worldwide. The first world championships were held in Saalfelden in 1958, and in 1960 biathlon made its debut at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. The introduction of new competition formats and the ever-increasing popularity of spectators have meant that biathlon is now an integral part of the winter sports landscape.

A lasting legacy

Over the last decade, the popularity of biathlon has increased significantly, as evidenced by modern stadiums and the introduction of new competition classes such as the Junior Cup, which was launched in 2015/16. The Boe brothers, whose remarkable careers are characterized by records and titles, have played a key role in shaping this development. While Johannes Boe is concentrating on his family after retiring, Tarjei is remembered as an important figure in sport. Their legacy is considered indelible and their achievements will forever remain part of biathlon history.

The future of biathlon looks promising, not least thanks to role models like Ole Einar Björndalen and Martin Fourcade, who have paved the way for new talent. Biathlonworld.com highlights how the sport has evolved from a niche sport to a central part of the winter sports calendar. At a time when sporting challenges are constantly evolving, it remains to be seen how the next generation of biathletes will carry on the tradition and spirit that Johannes and Tarjei Boe so brilliantly embodied.