Shock call-up: Marit Øygard quit in the summer – now selected for the Biathlon World Cup opener

Norwegian biathlete Marit Øygard had stepped away from the sport in August to focus on her medical studies. Despite that decision, she has now been named to Norway’s team for the World Cup opener in Östersund.

Øygard admits she doesn’t even know the dates or venue of the first World Cup race. She made a single World Cup start last season, when she was called up after Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold experienced heart issues; Øygard finished 84th in that appearance. The 26‑year‑old had seemingly faded from the elite scene before pausing her career to prioritize medical school in Trondheim.

She continued training on a hobby basis, however, and surprised at the Norwegian season opener in Geilo: second in the sprint on Saturday and seventh in the mass start on Sunday. Those results have earned her a place in Norway’s World Cup squad for the Östersund series from 29 November to 7 December.

Øygard says she will ask the medical school administration for an adjusted study plan and intends to keep competing, but unlike NRK expert and former star Marte Olsbu Røiseland, she will not pause her studies. She also reveals she has battled serious setbacks, including a blood clot five years ago that will affect her for life.

Norway’s teams for the Östersund World Cup opener are:

Women: Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide; Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold; Karoline Knotten; Ragnhild Femsteinevik; Marit Øygard; Marthe Kråkstad Johansen.

Men: Johan‑Olav Smørdal Botn; Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen; Isak Leknes Frey; Sturla Holm Lægreid; Endre Strømsheim; Vebjørn Sørum; Martin Uldal.