Fairytale career end for Martin Fourcade. In the pursuit race of Kontiolahti the Frenchman succeeds in winning and the perfect end of his long career.
For his farewell Martin Fourcade chose unusually quiet words. “Thanks for the trip. It’s time to say goodbye,” the 31-year-old Frenchman wrote in the social media.
The man for the big notes and even greater successes, one of the most successful biathletes in history, drew a line under his magnificent career on a small stage in Kontiolahti, Finland.
“I have fulfilled my dreams and experienced the most beautiful emotions,” Fourcade wrote in a long and emotional farewell letter on Facebook: “Some decisions change lives.” And this decision makes perfect sense. At the World Championships in Antholz a month ago, Fourcade fulfilled his last great sporting wish, triumphed once again in the singles – and above all won gold with the relay team.
Only Björndalen more successful
So it was clear: In sprint vice world champion Quentin Fillon Maillet (27) or pursuit world champion Emilien Jacquelin (24) France now has several guarantees for success, can celebrate victories even without him. Although his will to “give his best and move mountains” is still there, “but the continuation of my growth as a man, as a father, must now be done in other ways,” explained the father of the two daughters Manon and Ines.
Martin Fourcade dominated. For many years the Frenchman was unstoppable on the cross-country ski run, the extra nerve on the shooting range made him an unbeatable autocrat. He was the first ski hunter to win the overall World Cup seven times – in a row. Five times he was allowed to hang Olympic gold around his neck.
Fourcade arrogant?
In addition, he has won 28 World Cup medals, 13 of them in gold and 79 World Cup victories. Only biathlon icon Ole Einar Björndalen was more successful with 95 wins – the Norwegian also took off his hat: “Fantastic career. You have taken biathlon to a new level.”
Martin Fourcade polarized. Hardly any athlete lived out his ambition as openly as he did, many accused him of a certain arrogance. Among other things, because of his dominance, he often took a few seconds after the last shooting to cheer with gestures.