Norway’s mixed relay team ended up winning the country’s 50th biathlon gold medal on Thursday, after a jury confirmed a target malfunction when biathlon veteran Ole Einar Bjørndalen was shooting.
The target hadn’t recorded his shot, leaving spectators to think that Slovenia had won and that Norway was second. Instead, the correct registration of Bjørndalen’s shot put Norway out in front, with Slovenia winning silver and Germany third at the International Biathlon Union World Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany.
Norway’s team in the mixed relay consisted of Bjørndalen, Emil Hegle Svendsen, Tora Berger and Synnøve Solemdal. It was an especially sweet victory for the 38-year-old Bjørndalen, who has won record numbers of medals over the years and refused to retire, despite disappointing performances last season.
He’s been on the comeback trail this year, and seems intent on staying in the sport through the Winter Olympics in 2014.
Views and News staff
