Biathlonworld 55, 2020 ENG

PERSONALITIES MARTE OLSBU ROEISELAND - NOR
Antholz 2020 provided plenty of
narratives to highlight the 2019/2020
biathlon season, but Marte Olsbu Roeiseland’s
seven medals in as many
competitions was definitely among
the most impressive ones. The Norwegian
had never won an individual
medal at the IBU World Championships
before this year, changing that
rapidly on the Italian biathlon temple
of Anterselva: after seizing gold
in the opening mixed relay, she took
the women’s sprint, won bronze in
the pursuit and in the individual, and
claimed gold in the single mixed and
women’s relays as well as in the final
mass start.
It was a dream-like fortnight for the
Olympic silver medalist from the Olympic
Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018,
who had to battle past criticism to find
her best form in February. But for someone
who built her career step by step,
this was not a problem. These successes
cannot but motivate her to set even
higher goals for the seasons to come.
BIATHLONWORLD The first question is
the most obvious one: a few weeks later,
have you realized what you achieved in
Antholz-Anterselva?
MARTE OLSBU ROEISELAND Antholz
was just crazy. Never in my dreams did
I imagine that I could win 7 medals, of
which 5 were golds! It was just unbelievable,
and even though it has already been
a few weeks — I still cannot believe what
actually happened. Everything is just so
surreal.
So much has happened in these
few weeks. On one hand, I’m
very grateful that I got to
experience this
amazing World
Championships
in Antholz. It is
such a beautiful
place, and it
was just a perfect
World Championship.
But then,
on the other hand, you know what
kind of situation Italy is facing today
with the COVID-19 virus. It
is just devastating and sad. My
thoughts and prayers are with
the Italian people, and everyone else suffering
from the virus. I hope the biathlon
family and their loved ones stay healthy
during these uncertain times. Sports become
nothing when facing a pandemic,
and we all have to work together to end
it, but we will come out stronger than before.
BW Five gold and two bronze medals—
it is probably hard to pick one or two
moments, but which one stands out the
most for you?
MOR Yes, it is hard to choose which moment
stands out, as they all were incredible
for me — but winning the sprint was
an amazing feeling. To win an individual
gold medal in the World Championships
was my main goal this season. So, when
I managed to achieve my big goal in the
first individual race, it was just unbelievable.
I have worked so hard and sacrificed
so much to be able to fight for that
gold… so when I realized that I was the
winner — oh wow, the best feeling ever!
And after that, I felt like the rest of the
Championship was just a bonus, so I
just decided to enjoy every moment and
have fun (which I did). But I also have to
say that the relay with my girls was a highlight.
We came into the relay as the big
favourites after winning all the relays in
the World Cup, and then we managed
to defend the gold from last year. That
was a great win, not only for us, but for
the whole team: coaches, waxers and the
whole support team around us. It’s always
a great feeling to win with your team. And
then the mass start — what actually happened
there? I don’t remember all the
“I knew I had to trust my plan
and stay confident that I did
everything I could to be prepared
in the best possible way for the
World Championship.”
32 BIATHLON WORLD 55 I 2020