“It’s probably been ten years since I’ve been this bad. And besides, I have no explanation. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but these words came out of Johannes Boe’s mouth a little over a month ago. Before these Games in Beijing, the triple winner of the big crystal globe dragged his spleen on the European tracks, and had even finished in a disappointing 28th place, during the sprint in Oberhof (Germany), on January 7.
Obviously, the change of air did him good. Completely transformed, the 28-year-old Norwegian won five medals, including four gold in Beijing. Thanks to his victory over the mass start on Friday, he equaled his illustrious compatriot, Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, with four titles on the clock during a single edition of the Olympic Games (in 2002 in Salt Lake City).
The beginnings of the renaissance in the mixed relay
Johannes Boe has all the characteristics of the hero of the greatest children’s tales. When he faces disillusionment, he clings to surpass himself. And above all, it imposes itself again. Everyone had seen the beginnings of its rebirth during the mixed relay, the first biathlon race in Beijing. After a daunting sprint, the Norwegian had dropped his competitors, including Quentin Fillon Maillet, to offer the title to his nation. Not satisfied, however, the Scandinavian biathlete then won the sprint, under the nose and beard of the Frenchman.
“It is an immense pride to win a third Olympic title (he counts his coronation on the individual in Pyeongchang in 2018 in this statement). Above all, it was almost unexpected given my start to the season. I thought I would be better in December, and also in Oberhof at the beginning of January. But I had my worst result there. I needed to wake up so I decided to prepare for these Games. And I’m a little stronger than I expected. It makes me really happy, ”he said after his title on the sprint, in comments reported by the Dauphiné Libéré. However satisfied, the Norwegian did not stop there.
“Really happy to have produced my best biathlon”
In Beijing, the triple winner of the big crystal globe had to deal with a strong opponent with Quentin Fillon Maillet, the first French biathlete to win five medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games. “He’s in the form of his life, whether on skis or on the shooting range, so he was a real pain in the neck in these Games for us,” smiled the Norwegian.
But despite the great performances from the Jura, Boe was titled on two other occasions, at the mass start and during the men’s relay. “It means a lot. You can’t predict what will happen at the Olympics. My last years as a biathlete were fantastic, but these Games were even more so. I’m really happy to have produced my best biathlon at these Games,” explained the quadruple Olympic champion.
But then, who was the real king of biathlon in Beijing? The Norwegian with five medals, including four in gold, or his French competitor with as many charms but with two coronations? The debate is open. Whatever the answer, the two made the public dream.