ANTERSELVA, Italy — A German fan, Thomas Kohl from Hamburg, could barely contain his excitement, seeking an autograph from skiing legends Tarjei Bø (36) and Johannes Thingnes Bø (32) at the Santes Hotel in Anterselva di Mezzo. The encounter underscores the enduring popularity of the brothers even eleven months after their retirement from professional biathlon.
The Bø brothers are currently in Anterselva during the ongoing World Championships, maintaining a presence within the sport they dominated for nearly two decades. Their departure last month marked the end of an almost unmatched legacy, as highlighted by biathlonworld.com. Both Tarjei and Johannes began their international careers as IBU Youth World Champions, concluding their competitive journeys on March 23rd.
Despite retiring, the brothers are finding latest roles within the biathlon world. Johannes Thingnes Bø is working as an expert commentator for Norway’s NRK, a position he describes as “eye-opening.” “We’ve gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into a production. It’s impressive,” he said, adding that their respect for the media has deepened through this experience. “We’ve realized that the media generally wants what’s best, and being on the inside, we see that’s truly the case.”
Tarjei Bø echoed this sentiment, noting that they had anticipated potential negative reactions from former teammates to their commentary, but the feedback has been largely positive. However, the demands of the job, particularly the time away from family, are a significant drawback. “We retired to spend more time at home, to be more present for our families. Being an expert requires the same travel schedule as being an athlete,” Tarjei explained.
Johannes Thingnes Bø expressed doubt about continuing as a regular television analyst. “I doubt I’ll be doing much more TV work, at least for now. The days away from family are the deciding factor. I don’t have any other plans at the moment, so it’s not entirely out of the question, but it’s unlikely.”
The brothers emphasized the importance of family in their post-retirement lives. Tarjei has been able to spend more time with his wife, Gita, and their children, Aron (3) and Eva (5 months). Johannes has focused on his wife, Hedda, and their children, Gustav (6) and Sofia (2). “I feel Aron is very happy that I’m around all the time,” Tarjei said. “I think I retired at the perfect time, when he was two and a half. That’s when they really start to talk and think.”
Tarjei acknowledged the sacrifices made by partners of athletes. “You sacrifice a lot when you’re with an athlete, perhaps more than you realize. It becomes a habit, but when you stop, you realize that habit was quite unusual. All respect to the partners of athletes.”
Whereas the brothers are enjoying more time with their families, they are also exploring new professional avenues. Johannes Thingnes Bø is currently without a fixed job, pursuing various opportunities and maintaining collaborations with former sponsors. Tarjei has started a window company with his brother Rasmus and Thommy Stenvik, jokingly offering his brother a job.
“You can’t afford me,” Johannes quipped, prompting a response from Tarjei: “Low wages and long hours.”
Tarjei believes their lives are diverging. “We have very different lives right now. Johannes is a bit ahead of me. We’re building a house now, and he did that a few years ago. So he has a bit more peace and quiet, and I think he’s twiddling his thumbs a bit more these days. But once the house is finished, we’ll probably be in a similar boat, needing something to fill our days. We need to strive to be good at something else, something new.”
Johannes Thingnes Bø envisions a more stable 9-to-5 job in the future, ideally within the Kongsvinger area, where he lives. He is considering opportunities at NTG Kongsvinger and Kongsvinger Toppfotball, wanting to remain involved in sports without extensive travel.
The brothers, who share a similar outlook on life, haven’t ruled out future collaborations. “We have a very similar view of life, actually. It’s becoming more and more alike. Two kids, skis on the shelf, and some of the same values. It’s often a mirror image of my own thoughts. Of course, Notice differences too.”
When asked about the possibility of a comeback for the 2029 World Championships in Holmenkollen, Johannes Thingnes Bø laughed. “I can rule that out. But I am the title defender in sprint and pursuit at next year’s World Championships, so I have a starting spot…,” he trailed off. “You can choose a percentage. It’s closer to zero than one hundred percent, you can write that. But it’s zero percent.”
