Ole Einar Bjørndalen (born 27 January 1974) is a retired Norwegian professional biathlete and coach, often referred to by the nickname, the "King of Biathlon".
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
A year later in 1993, after winning three junior world championship titles, a medal haul only previously achieved by Sergei Tchepikov, Bjørndalen made his Biathlon World Cup debut.
His breakthrough came in 1994 when he featured on his first World Cup podium in a sprint race held in Bad Gastein, Austria.
Bjørndalen first competed in the Olympic Games at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics, held in his home country of Norway.
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
In the 1995–96 season, he dropped down to ninth, but finished in the runner-up position in 1996–97.
He obtained his first major victory on 11 January 1996 in an individual competition held in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy.
In the 1995–96 season, he dropped down to ninth, but finished in the runner-up position in 1996–97.
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
He has finished in third place in the nations cup 3 times, in the: 1996/97, 1997/98 and 2006/07 season.
He also finished in the top three of the Overall World Cup rankings for a record thirteen successive seasons between the 1996–97 and 2008–09 seasons.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Bjoerndalen has also finished number 2 in the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons. Ole Einar also came 3rd in the 1997–98 season.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
He has finished in third place in the nations cup 3 times, in the: 1996/97, 1997/98 and 2006/07 season.
His first win was in 1997 in the 30 kilometre freestyle event in Valdres, Norway, and the second was in the 10 km freestyle event in Beitostølen, Norway in 2006.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When winning the overall world cup in 1998, at the age of 24, he won titles at each of the three major championships in biathlon in one season – a world championship gold medal, an Olympic gold medal and the overall World Cup title.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
He came 2nd in 2000–01, 2003–04 and 2008–09. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen was number 3 in the Mass start world cup in the season 1998–99.
Bjoerndalen has also finished number 2 in the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons. Ole Einar also came 3rd in the 1997–98 season.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
Both brothers were part of the Norwegian team that took the silver medal in the men's relay at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Bjørndalen resides in the village of Obertilliach, Austria.
They started dating in 1998 and married on 27 May 2006.
Among sports equipment brands that he promotes are Madshus, Odlo, and Casco. ==Awards and honors== Ole Einar Bjørndalen won the Aftenposten's gold medal in 1998.
In November 2014, Bjørndalen was awarded Best Male Athlete of the 2014 Winter Olympics by the Association des Comités Nationaux Olympiques. ==Cross-country skiing== Bjørndalen first participated in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Finland in the 10 kilometre freestyle event in a small town called Muonio in November 1998, finishing 23rd.
He has also two 2nd places in a FIS-event: in the 15 km freestyle event in Misurina, Italy in 1998 and in the 10 km freestyle event at Beitostølen in 2004.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Ole Einar has won Pursuit world cup five times from 1999–00, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
Bjørndalen has also achieved five-second places in the nations cup in the years: 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 and 2012/13.
During his career in 1999/00 he averaged 82%, in 2000–01 78%, 2001–02 74%, 2002–03 86% and in 2003–04 he hit 80% of the targets, however in those five years his standing shoot was the same or better than his prone shoot.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
He came 2nd in 2000–01, 2003–04 and 2008–09. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen was number 3 in the Mass start world cup in the season 1998–99.
Bjoerndalen has also finished number 2 in the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons. Ole Einar also came 3rd in the 1997–98 season.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
Bjørndalen has also achieved five-second places in the nations cup in the years: 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 and 2012/13.
During his career in 1999/00 he averaged 82%, in 2000–01 78%, 2001–02 74%, 2002–03 86% and in 2003–04 he hit 80% of the targets, however in those five years his standing shoot was the same or better than his prone shoot.
He finished second in the overall World Cup for the following three seasons and then third in 2001–02. His World Cup podium record is 179 podium finishes, 95 1st places, 53 2nd places, and 31 3rd places in the individual events.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
Bjoerndalen has also finished number 2 in the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons. Ole Einar also came 3rd in the 1997–98 season.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
Bjørndalen has also achieved five-second places in the nations cup in the years: 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 and 2012/13.
His first podium place in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup came in Kuopio 25 November 2001, where he finished in 2nd place in the 10 km freestyle event.
In addition to this, Bjørndalen has one third place in a FIS event, in the 10 km freestyle at Beitostølen in 2001.
Following his two Cross-Country World Cup podium finishes in the 2001–02 season, ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympics he stated that he was hoping to become the first competitor to take Olympic medals in both biathlon and cross-country skiing, however Bjørndalen missed out on a cross-country medal, finishing 5th in the 30 km freestyle cross-country race in Salt Lake City on 9 February 2002.
He won Skarverennet in 2006 and 2007, and came in 2nd after Petter Northug in 2008. ==Other victories== Ole Einar Bjørndalen won the Beach Volleyball Championship at Laguna Beach in 2001.
During his career in 1999/00 he averaged 82%, in 2000–01 78%, 2001–02 74%, 2002–03 86% and in 2003–04 he hit 80% of the targets, however in those five years his standing shoot was the same or better than his prone shoot.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Ole Einar has won Pursuit world cup five times from 1999–00, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Bjoerndalen has been winner of the Mass start world cup five times in: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
This was the second time that Norway had won a title in this event, with the other being at the 2002 Winter Olympics (also anchored by Bjørndalen).
He was named the Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year in 2002 and 2014.
For his accomplishments in biathlon and cross-country skiing, Bjørndalen received the Egebergs Ærespris in 2002.
Bjørndalen was also awarded with the Fearnleys olympic honorary award in 2002.
He was voted Best Male Athlete of 2002 by International Sports Press Association.
Bjørndalen was elected Biathlon Athlete of the Year by AIPS Nordic Ski and Biathlon Commission in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009.
Following his two Cross-Country World Cup podium finishes in the 2001–02 season, ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympics he stated that he was hoping to become the first competitor to take Olympic medals in both biathlon and cross-country skiing, however Bjørndalen missed out on a cross-country medal, finishing 5th in the 30 km freestyle cross-country race in Salt Lake City on 9 February 2002.
During his career in 1999/00 he averaged 82%, in 2000–01 78%, 2001–02 74%, 2002–03 86% and in 2003–04 he hit 80% of the targets, however in those five years his standing shoot was the same or better than his prone shoot.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
Ole Einar Bjoerndalen also came 2nd in the Sprint world cup in the seasons: 2003–04 and 2005–06.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
He came 2nd in 2000–01, 2003–04 and 2008–09. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen was number 3 in the Mass start world cup in the season 1998–99.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
This put his career victories at the ski events to five, having won once both in 2003 (pursuit) and in 2004 (sprint). ===2006–07 World Cup season=== Bjørndalen made a perfect start to the season, winning all of the first five races in Östersund and Hochfilzen.
Ole Einar Bjørndalen was nominated for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2003.
Bjørndalen was elected Biathlon Athlete of the Year by AIPS Nordic Ski and Biathlon Commission in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009.
In 2007 his countryman, and fellow biathlete Lars Berger won the 15 km cross-country event at the World Championship in 2007. Bjørndalen has twice finished on the podium in cross-country world cup relays for Norway: first in Beitostølen in 2003, where his team finished third, and secondly in La Clusaz in France in 2006, where Norway came in 2nd place.
Bjørndalen has won the World Team Challenge biathlon exhibition event in Gelsenkirchen (held at the Veltins-Arena, the home ground of football club Schalke 04) in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
He also won a bronze together with his wife Darya Domracheva in 2018 Ole Einar Bjørndalen finished second in the 2003 Dobbiaco-Cortina, a long-distance cross-country skiing event, (42 km) in Italy in the town of Cortina.
During his career in 1999/00 he averaged 82%, in 2000–01 78%, 2001–02 74%, 2002–03 86% and in 2003–04 he hit 80% of the targets, however in those five years his standing shoot was the same or better than his prone shoot.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
Bjoerndalen has been winner of the Mass start world cup five times in: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
This put his career victories at the ski events to five, having won once both in 2003 (pursuit) and in 2004 (sprint). ===2006–07 World Cup season=== Bjørndalen made a perfect start to the season, winning all of the first five races in Östersund and Hochfilzen.
He has also two 2nd places in a FIS-event: in the 15 km freestyle event in Misurina, Italy in 1998 and in the 10 km freestyle event at Beitostølen in 2004.
Bjørndalen has won the World Team Challenge biathlon exhibition event in Gelsenkirchen (held at the Veltins-Arena, the home ground of football club Schalke 04) in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
In the individual disciplines, he shot 92% in the individual, 89% in the sprint, 96% in the pursuit, 93% in the mass start and 96% in the relay. In the 2004–05 season Bjørndalen was the 16th best shot with an 85% success rate, the second best Norwegian behind Egil Gjelland.
In comparison, his greatest rival Raphaël Poirée averaged 87% in 2004–05 and 86% in 2005–06.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
Ole Einar Bjoerndalen also came 2nd in the Sprint world cup in the seasons: 2003–04 and 2005–06.
Ole Einar has won Pursuit world cup five times from 1999–00, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Bjoerndalen has been winner of the Mass start world cup five times in: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
Bjoerndalen has also finished number 2 in the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons. Ole Einar also came 3rd in the 1997–98 season.
Bjørndalen has also achieved five-second places in the nations cup in the years: 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 and 2012/13.
He also took a four gold medal haul at the Biathlon World Championships 2005 in Hochfilzen, Austria and at the Biathlon World Championships 2009 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Bjørndalen was elected Biathlon Athlete of the Year by AIPS Nordic Ski and Biathlon Commission in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009.
Bjørndalen has won the World Team Challenge biathlon exhibition event in Gelsenkirchen (held at the Veltins-Arena, the home ground of football club Schalke 04) in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
Bjørndalen also got a bronze in this event in 2005 together with Nathalie Santer and in 2010 with Sabrina Buchholz.
Bjørndalen finished the 2005–06 season with a shooting percentage of 84%, hitting 292 out of 345 possible targets, that placed him in 36th position for shooting accuracy.
In comparison, his greatest rival Raphaël Poirée averaged 87% in 2004–05 and 86% in 2005–06.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
He has 2nd place in the seasons 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07 and 3rd places in 1996–97, 1998–99 and 2001–02.
Bjoerndalen has been winner of the Mass start world cup five times in: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
He has finished in third place in the nations cup 3 times, in the: 1996/97, 1997/98 and 2006/07 season.
Bjørndalen's 95 biathlon World Cup victories and one cross-country victory is two behind of Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann's record of 98 World Cup victories for a winter sport athlete. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Bjørndalen took three medals from five events, winning two silvers and a bronze.
On 30 December 2006 Bjørndalen took part in the Biathlon World Team Challenge in Gelsenkirchen in the Veltins Arena.
They started dating in 1998 and married on 27 May 2006.
One month later he once again came in 2nd place, this time losing out to Per Elofsson in the 30 km freestyle mass-start event in Ramsau, Austria. On 18 November 2006 Bjørndalen made history by becoming the first male biathlete to win a FIS Cross-Country World Cup event in the Swedish town Gällivare.
In 2007 his countryman, and fellow biathlete Lars Berger won the 15 km cross-country event at the World Championship in 2007. Bjørndalen has twice finished on the podium in cross-country world cup relays for Norway: first in Beitostølen in 2003, where his team finished third, and secondly in La Clusaz in France in 2006, where Norway came in 2nd place.
His first win was in 1997 in the 30 kilometre freestyle event in Valdres, Norway, and the second was in the 10 km freestyle event in Beitostølen, Norway in 2006.
He won Skarverennet in 2006 and 2007, and came in 2nd after Petter Northug in 2008. ==Other victories== Ole Einar Bjørndalen won the Beach Volleyball Championship at Laguna Beach in 2001.
Bjørndalen has won the World Team Challenge biathlon exhibition event in Gelsenkirchen (held at the Veltins-Arena, the home ground of football club Schalke 04) in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Ole Einar has won Pursuit world cup five times from 1999–00, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Bjoerndalen has been winner of the Mass start world cup five times in: 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
After competing in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Sapporo 2007, he missed several Biathlon World Cup events; after missing eight competitions altogether Bjørndalen finished second in the overall standings, after German Michael Greis. ===2008–09 World Cup season=== Bjørndalen started off the season suffering from the effects of long-term illness, but still placed second in both of the pursuit events.
In 2007 his countryman, and fellow biathlete Lars Berger won the 15 km cross-country event at the World Championship in 2007. Bjørndalen has twice finished on the podium in cross-country world cup relays for Norway: first in Beitostølen in 2003, where his team finished third, and secondly in La Clusaz in France in 2006, where Norway came in 2nd place.
He won Skarverennet in 2006 and 2007, and came in 2nd after Petter Northug in 2008. ==Other victories== Ole Einar Bjørndalen won the Beach Volleyball Championship at Laguna Beach in 2001.
He has won the Overall World Cup title six times, in 1997–98, in 2002–03, in 2004–05, in 2005–06, in 2007–08 and in 2008–09. In 1992, he won his first career medal at the junior world championships.
At those Games Bjørndalen's best finish was a 28th position in the sprint. He has won the World Cup six times (1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, and 2008–09), finished second six times (1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04, and 2006–07), and third once (2001–02).
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Ole Einar has won Pursuit world cup five times from 1999–00, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
He came 2nd in 2000–01, 2003–04 and 2008–09. Ole Einar Bjoerndalen was number 3 in the Mass start world cup in the season 1998–99.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
He also finished in the top three of the Overall World Cup rankings for a record thirteen successive seasons between the 1996–97 and 2008–09 seasons.
In 2008, a nearly three meter tall bronze statue of Bjørndalen, created by sculptor Kirsten Kokkin, was erected in his hometown of Simostranda, Norway.
He won Skarverennet in 2006 and 2007, and came in 2nd after Petter Northug in 2008. ==Other victories== Ole Einar Bjørndalen won the Beach Volleyball Championship at Laguna Beach in 2001.
In 2008, Bjørndalen won the biathlon exhibition event in Püttlingen together with Kati Wilhelm.
He won the Blink Festival in Sandnes in 2008.
When he took his 87th World Cup race victory in February 2009, he overtook Ingemar Stenmark as the skier with the most World Cup wins in history. Bjørndalen has won the Sprint world cup nine times in the seasons: 1994–1995, 1996–1997, 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2008–09.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
He also took a four gold medal haul at the Biathlon World Championships 2005 in Hochfilzen, Austria and at the Biathlon World Championships 2009 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
After the break, he returned with victories in both the sprint and pursuit events in Ruhpolding and a third place in the mass start in Oberhof. At the Biathlon World Championships 2009 in Pyeongchang, during the men's 12.5 km pursuit, Bjørndalen with at least 15 other competitors accidentally skied the wrong way at the start of the first lap due to the bad marking.
Bjørndalen was awarded the Fair Play Mecenante Award in Castiglion in Fiorentino in Italy in 2009.
Bjørndalen was elected Biathlon Athlete of the Year by AIPS Nordic Ski and Biathlon Commission in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
At the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Bjørndalen became the most successful biathlete in Winter Olympic history by surpassing the previous record of nine career Olympic medals, which he shared with Uschi Disl of Germany.
Bjørndalen also got a bronze in this event in 2005 together with Nathalie Santer and in 2010 with Sabrina Buchholz.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
He has been Certina's loyal ambassador since 2011, InstaForex brand ambassador since 2015.
In March 2011, he, Michael Greis and Andrea Henkel were awarded the Holmenkollen Medal, the first biathletes to receive the medal.
He also finished in second place in 2011 alongside with Magdalena Neuner.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
It happened in the seasons: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16. Bjørndalen has won (together with the Norwegian biathlon team) the nations cup ten times.
Bjørndalen has also achieved five-second places in the nations cup in the years: 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2005/06 and 2012/13.
On 4 October 2012, they filed for divorce by mutual consent. In April 2016, along with announcing that he will continue his career until the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Bjørndalen confirmed that he was in a relationship with Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva, and that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.
It happened in the seasons: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16. Bjørndalen has won (together with the Norwegian biathlon team) the nations cup ten times.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
On 20 February 2014, Bjørndalen was elected to an eight-year term at the International Olympic Committee's athlete commission.
He has 6 times finished second in the world cup relay in: 1996–97, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15. Bjoerndalen also came in third place in 1998–99 and 2002–03.
It happened in the seasons: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16. Bjørndalen has won (together with the Norwegian biathlon team) the nations cup ten times.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
With his gold medal in 10 km sprint at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, he tied fellow Norwegian Bjørn Dæhlie for most Winter Olympic medals, with 12 in total, before overtaking Dæhlie by winning his second gold of the Games as part of the Norwegian mixed relay team. Bjørndalen has won eight Olympic gold medals, four silver and a bronze.
He was named the Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year in 2002 and 2014.
In February 2014, Bjørndalen was voted Best Male Athlete of the 2014 Winter Olympics by International Sports Press Association.
In November 2014, Bjørndalen was awarded Best Male Athlete of the 2014 Winter Olympics by the Association des Comités Nationaux Olympiques. ==Cross-country skiing== Bjørndalen first participated in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Finland in the 10 kilometre freestyle event in a small town called Muonio in November 1998, finishing 23rd.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
It happened in the seasons: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16. Bjørndalen has won (together with the Norwegian biathlon team) the nations cup ten times.
It happened in the: 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 season.
He has been Certina's loyal ambassador since 2011, InstaForex brand ambassador since 2015.
On 4 October 2012, they filed for divorce by mutual consent. In April 2016, along with announcing that he will continue his career until the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Bjørndalen confirmed that he was in a relationship with Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva, and that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.
On 7 July 2016, they married in Sjusjøen, Norway.
Their daughter Xenia was born on 1 October 2016. On 3 April 2018 Bjørndalen announced his retirement from biathlon.
Overall, he has been on the podium 38 times. Bjørndalen has won the relay world cup 11 times in the seasons: 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 and 2017/18.
Bjørndalen has also achieved 14 individual gold medals in the Norwegian Championship, biathlon, summer event: sprint (7) and pursuit (7). In January 2018 Arne Botnan, the sporting director for Norwegian biathlon, announced that Bjørndalen would not be selected for the 2018 Winter Olympics, after he failed to achieve the qualifying standard of a top six finish in a World Cup race before the Norwegian Biathlon Association was due to nominate its Olympic squad on the 15th of that month.
On 4 October 2012, they filed for divorce by mutual consent. In April 2016, along with announcing that he will continue his career until the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Bjørndalen confirmed that he was in a relationship with Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva, and that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.
Their daughter Xenia was born on 1 October 2016. On 3 April 2018 Bjørndalen announced his retirement from biathlon.
Bjørndalen ended his Olympic career after being left off Norway's 2018 team for PyeongChang, thus ending a bid for a seventh Winter Games. ==Endorsement== His close to one hundred individual World Cup wins makes Ole Bjorndalen the most winning winter sports athlete of all time.
He also won a bronze together with his wife Darya Domracheva in 2018 Ole Einar Bjørndalen finished second in the 2003 Dobbiaco-Cortina, a long-distance cross-country skiing event, (42 km) in Italy in the town of Cortina.
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