Norwegian biathlete dejected after nightmare race: “The Olympic train has probably left”

Johan‑Olav Botn came within seconds of another World Cup podium in Friday’s sprint in Hochfilzen, Austria, but had to settle for fourth, 9.1 seconds behind Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel. France’s Eric Perrot was second and Germany’s Philipp Horn third.

Botn has opened the season in brilliant form, winning both the individual and the sprint at the World Cup opener in Östersund and taking third in the pursuit there. In Hochfilzen, fellow Norwegians also featured strongly: Sturla Holm Lægreid finished fifth, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen eighth, Johannes Dale‑Skjevdal 16th, Isak Frey 18th, and Martin Uldal 52nd.

The day was a nightmare for Vebjørn Sørum. In his first World Cup start of the season, he missed four targets and finished 85th, more than three minutes behind Giacomel. Speaking to TV 2, Sørum said he fears his Olympic chances for Milano–Cortina 2026 have “probably gone,” unless he dominates the first IBU Cup round after Christmas, earns a recall to the World Cup, and performs there at a superior level. “It’s brutal, but that’s elite sport,” he added, noting he had strongly hoped to race at the Olympics.

The result underscores the fierce competition for Norway’s Olympic biathlon spots, with Botn’s form strengthening his case while Sørum now faces an uphill path via the IBU Cup to revive his candidacy.