The German biathlon men lagged behind this season apart from a few outliers.
This surprises biathlon icon Ole Einar Björndalen.
Munich – “Johannes Thingnes Bö will break my records,” Ole Einar Björndalen is convinced.
The younger of the two Bö brothers dominates the biathlon like Björndalen once did.
As in so many disciplines of winter sports, Norway is the measure of all things.
Ole Einar Bjorndalen |
Born: January 27, 1974 (age 49 years), Drammen, Norway |
Olympic Gold Medals: 8th |
World Championship Gold Medals: 20th |
Biathlon World Cup victories: 134 |
Biathlon legend Björndalen surprised by German weakness
This year the gap to the German biathletes seems particularly large - why is that?
Björndalen has no explanation for this.
"I'm surprised that the Germans don't produce a sovereign athlete.
That was long ago.
The last one was Sven Fischer,” is Björndalen's harsh judgment of the German biathlon men in an interview with
Sport Bild
.
It almost sounds a little pitying when Björndalen talks about the DSV men.
“Even with an Arnd Peiffer, a lot had to come together for him to win.
Unfortunately, he wasn't a serial winner like the Norwegians," he says.
In general, Germany can only look at the Norwegians with envy at the moment.
+
Ole Einar Björndalen is harsh on Benedikt Doll and Co.
© dpa/Schmidt/Imago/Sandin
Biathlon: DSV team disappointed - "It's a shame for a biathlon nation"
“Now six Norwegians are significantly better than the best German.
It really shouldn't be.
That's a pity for a biathlon nation like Germany," says Björndalen and suspects: "Something's wrong.
After all, women are better.” Denise Herrmann-Wick did indeed fly the German flag this season, especially at the World Championships in Oberhof, where she became world champion.
However, the 34-year-old announced the end of her career on Tuesday.
And after her?
First off, not much.
With 13th place in the overall standings, Vanessa Voigt is the only DSV athlete still at the top of the world.
However, an 18-year-old from Garmisch-Partenkirchen is considered a great hope for the future.
Björndalen criticizes German biathlon men - Doll convinces in Östersund
In general, German biathlon fans don't have to look quite as black as Björndalen.
With the exception of the World Championships, Benedikt Doll delivered a solid to good season for men, recently won the individual race in Östersund and is fourth in the overall ranking, which is known to lie the least.
With Roman Rees in eighth place, another DSV athlete appears in the top ten.
It is not the first time this year that the Norwegian TV expert Björndalen shoots quite sharply against Germany.
Laura Dahlmeier gave back the last time.
(epp)
List of rubrics: © dpa/Schmidt/Imago/Sandin