Johannes Boe surprised everyone this Saturday, January 18, by announcing that he would end his career next March, after the last race of the season in Oslo, just one year before the Olympic Games. A decision that Martin Fourcade, the Norwegian's great opponent, understands, joined this Saturday afternoon.
Martin, how do you react to the announcement of Johannes Boe's future retirement?
“It’s surprising given the announcements he was able to make regarding the end of his career which seemed to be decided after the Cortina Olympics (in 2026). But to know a little about his sensitivity, particularly within his family, I am much less surprised.
I also went through this thought of asking myself ''What's the point of another year? What do I have to gain by seeking more? Johannes won everything and I believe that he too was not in a frantic hunt for records contrary to what his prize list may suggest. It is a courageous decision, which honors him and which should appease him. »
“I keep lots of memories, and only good ones! »
Had you already talked about it with him?
“He didn't call me two weeks ago to talk about it, but we discussed it when I retired with the same ambition to find normality in our schedules and be able to release this extremely intense pressure . I think that quite few athletes have ever experienced the emotions that Johannes has experienced over the last ten years, the pressure that he felt, the investment that he put into it… It was by combining everything that's what we can put ourselves in their place and not many of us have experienced it. »
When you say Johannes Boe, are there any memories that immediately come to mind?
“I have plenty. From his arrival on the world circuit through the front door at Grand-Bornand in 2013, to our last race with this point which separated us in the general classification. I have the impression that a large part of the second part of my career was marked by these duels sometimes won, sometimes lost.
I keep lots of memories, and only good ones! He is perhaps the only opponent with whom there has never been an ambivalent relationship. In a rivalry, we often have a lot of respect for our opponent and at the same time a lot of hatred. But he, like me, has spent our entire careers being extremely respectful of what the other could do. Even during the 2018 season, the year where for me our rivalry was the strongest, we were able to maintain this high level of view. It has always been very pleasant to be able to compete against each other and I think there is mutual respect and a huge pleasure in meeting up. »
-What quality would you have liked to steal from Johannes Boe?
“No doubt his confidence in the sprints, because that's where he often made the difference. I think that surprisingly we had similar qualities and faults. We had a rather quick standing shot, a lying shot that we often took time to build, ease on skis compared to our main rivals…
If I had to reproach Johannes Boe, it would be that I would have liked to see him try to find freshness in cross-country skiing, by putting aside for a few months a circuit that was too easy for him after the 2021 season. He has dominated world biathlon for five years, he has had very little factual rivalry and I would have liked to see him get back on track. »
« That removes quite a scarecrow! » for the Olympics
To be very down to earth, we can say that his absence from the Olympics is a godsend for the French…
“That takes away quite a scarecrow!” Nature abhors a vacuum and I think that stopping it will allow the emergence of a new leader who is struggling to be as marked as what has been possible for almost three decades with Bjorndalen, Poirée, me and Johannes. I'm quite curious to see all this! It will liberate some, create aspirations, even if we are never as happy to win as when the adversity is the greatest possible. He will miss the world biathlon much more than he will do good in the French biathlon. »
Will you be present in Oslo for its last race?
“Today I have an obstacle with the IOC, but I am trying to postpone my program to be able to be there. I would be extremely happy to be able to attend. I can't guarantee it, but I've been trying to put everything in place since midday to shift my program to be able to enjoy this last show that he will have to offer us in Oslo. »
