Austrian biathlete Felix Leitner explains retirement and criticizes federation

Felix Leitner, who announced his retirement earlier in the week, spoke with SPORT1 about why he is ending his career at just 28 and hinted at deep issues within Austria’s biathlon program.

Leitner began with strong promise: three junior world titles, the 2018 European Championship gold in the individual, two top‑ten finishes at the 2020 World Championships after entering the World Cup, and a second place in the Oberhof mass start in 2021. A major biathlon career seemed likely.

However, his form declined in recent years due to physical, mental, and health problems. In the overall World Cup, he finished only 42nd and 60th in the last two winters. For the coming Olympic season, the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) did not grant him any squad status.

He initially intended to fight his way back independently, but he ultimately chose to retire. He reveals he suffered a herniated disc in July and underwent disc surgery two weeks before the interview. After pain returned following the City Event in Dresden at the end of August, he could no longer train and realized an Olympic comeback was unrealistic. Even in a best‑case scenario, he would have returned to the World Cup only in January with inadequate preparation, something he vowed not to repeat after a disappointing prior season.

Leitner stresses his retirement was not solely because he was left off the ÖSV squads, but he says the general environment contributed to him losing “joy and fire” for the sport. He had structured his summers outside the federation for two years and believes that was not well received. He suggests his omission was a reaction to that approach. He points to broader problems in Austrian biathlon: many good coaches leaving, few better replacements, persistent equipment issues with skis since the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and feeling that athletes were no longer the priority.

While he declines to single out individuals, he says the system began “to crumble” after a period when Austria had a strong team. He hopes things improve for current athletes, noting the potential is there but requires a functioning support team behind them.

Reflecting on his career, he cites highlights such as the 2021 mass‑start podium in Oberhof, 10th place in the 2022 Olympic pursuit, and top‑ten finishes in sprint and pursuit at the 2020 World Championships in Antholz. He acknowledges that in his later years health and mental challenges made competing from behind difficult, and he no longer saw success as possible within the current ÖSV setup.

For now, Leitner plans to take time until late December or early January before trying something new. He does not intend to move into coaching soon, saying he needs distance after the wounds of recent years. Despite everything, he still finds biathlon “extremely cool” and looks back fondly on many moments and the people he shared them with.