Biathlon: Norway’s breakout star Johan‑Olav Botn was once left out — considered switching to Sweden

Norway’s Johan‑Olav Botn has been the revelation of the biathlon season so far. He currently leads the overall World Cup and races in the coveted yellow leader’s bib, with three victories and no results outside the top four this winter.

In an interview with SVT Sport, the 26‑year‑old explains that last season was deeply frustrating. Despite stacking podiums and wins in the IBU Cup, he never received a single World Cup start for Norway. The lack of opportunity pushed him to seriously consider switching national allegiance to Sweden.

“We talked with the coach in Sweden — they were very keen to bring us over,” Botn told SVT, confirming he had discussions about a potential move when he was being overlooked at home.

Botn’s story highlights the depth and internal competition within Norwegian biathlon. It also illustrates how quickly fortunes can change: from being passed over for World Cup selection to leading the global standings within a year.