Oslo turned out in force to salute biathlon’s Boe brothers for the last time on Sunday (23 March).
With eight Olympic gold medals between them, Johannes Thingnes Boe and older brother Tarjei Boe announced in January that they would be retiring at the end of the current season.
The 2024/25 IBU World Cup drew to a close with the 15km mass start, and the Norwegian heroes were cheered on for their final race with a crowd of approximately double the normal attendance for a Holmenkollen World Cup race.
Tarjei missed Friday’s sprint and Saturday’s pursuit with a fever, but was back for his final bow alongside his younger sibling. Johannes, who missed last weekend due to illness, was unable to take the overall World Cup to the final race as Sturla Holm Lægreid won on Saturday to secure a first big crystal globe.
The pair were never really in contention with Johannes made to rue a missed shot, and therefore a penalty loop, on each round of shooting. He was seventh with Tarjei, who appeared to still be struggling with illness, down in 23rd. The race was won by Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson.
Tarjei was handed a Norwegian flag before the finishing straight, and the 2010/11 overall World Cup champion received a rapturous reception, stopping to bow to the fans before crossing the line.
First to greet him was his younger sibling with the pair cheered by the spectators before being sprayed with champagne by their rivals. And Lægreid handed them the bottle of champagne he received on Saturday for winning the overall World Cup.
The brothers were interviewed after the race by IBU with Johannes saying, “It’s been a long journey for us and it comes down to this moment. This is the last finish line we cross in the World Cup and to do it here in Holmenkollen together… we had a journey as family, as brothers, in this field… I’ve been so happy to do it with you, Tarjei.”
“It’s just an incredible day. My first day here this week and I’m just so happy I was able to come to the start and enjoy it,” commented Tarjei. “I feel it’s starting now – the next life but also this day. When we crossed the finish line, every athlete, teammates were so happy and so kind and said so many nice words so I just try to let everything sink in.”
Johannes added, “It’s been a wonderful week for us. We are so lucky. We have felt so loved by everyone, and it couldn’t be better. These are the strongest memories I have in the sport from this weekend.”
Johannes Thingnes Boe ended his career as an all-time great with 91 individual World Cup wins, just three shy of the record held by Ole Einar Bjørndalen, from 278 starts. He secured five overall World Cup titles, five Olympic gold medals (three individual), and 12 individual titles from 23 golds at World Championships.
Tarjei Boe had 15 individual World Cup victories from 326 starts. He won three Olympic golds – all in relays – and two individual world titles from 12 in total.