Nordic skiing Record world champion Riiber announces end of career

SDA

29.1.2025 - 12:35

Thwarted by injuries and a chronic illness: Nordic combined athlete Jarl Magnus Riiber announces his retirement at the end of the season at the age of just 27
Thwarted by injuries and a chronic illness: Nordic combined athlete Jarl Magnus Riiber announces his retirement at the end of the season at the age of just 27
Keystone

The Norwegian Jarl Magnus Riiber is ending his career as a Nordic combined athlete after the current season. The 27-year-old made the announcement in an online press conference on Wednesday.

Keystone-SDA

Injuries and a chronic illness with accompanying hospital visits would only give him limited time for training. "I'm a prisoner of my own goals," said Riiber, who wants to spend more time with his family in future.

Riiber has 76 World Cup victories to his name and is a five-time overall World Cup winner. With eight gold medals, he also holds the title of record Nordic combined world champion. He was denied a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, continuing his career until the next Winter Games in 2026 was not an option. "I didn't want to risk another season. It would have been a 50:50 chance whether I would have been fit there," said Riiber.

With Riiber, Norway is losing another figurehead in winter sports. It is the third retirement announcement in quick succession. Most recently, biathlon aces Johannes Thingnes Bö and Tarjei Bö announced the end of their careers.