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More gold for Ole
Norway's star biathlete wins historic 4th medal
By Donna Kemp Spangler
Deseret News Olympic specialist
SOLDIER HOLLOW — Ole Einar Bjoerndalen did it again, this time bringing his Norwegian biathlon team to a golden victory
in the men's 7.5-kilometer relay race here Wednesday.
Anchored by Bjoerndalen, Norway won its first gold in the relay race amid wet and snowy conditions at the Olympic biathlon course. (Norway took silver in the relay at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.)
But this victory also gives Bjoerndalen a historic fourth gold medal in the 2002 Winter Games, making him by far the best rifleman on skis.
"I'm feeling great today," he said. "But I don't think so much about history. I'm just doing my job."
The French also achieved something they haven't done before — they won the bronze —- after a fierce battle with the Germans, who took the silver.
On the final lap, it came down to an exciting finish between two 2002 silver medalists, Germany's Frank Luck and France's Raphael Poiree.
"I have no chance with Frank Luck," said Poiree, who won a silver in the 12.5K pursuit race Saturday. "I just tried my best that he wouldn't catch me."
The Germans have won the last three Olympic biathlon relays so Poiree was pleased that the French, who haven't won too many competitions, finally reached the podium.
"Bronze is enormous," Poiree said. "We are not the biggest team. It's been four years we worked really hard for this, and we succeeded."
The United States came in 15th out of 19 teams. But the Americans knew it would be a struggle in the relay race, a competition where teams start simultaneously and get eight shots instead of the usual five to hit the targets. If they can't manage that, they must ski a penalty loop for each miss.
"We haven't focused on the relays, this is just for experience," said Alaskan Jay Hakkinen, who came away in this Olympic competition with 13th place in the pursuit race, the best-ever American finish.
Bjoerndalen has dominated in the biathlon competitions, a sport that combines the rigors of cross country skiing and mental calmness of rifle marksmanship. He became the first biathlete to win three gold medals in the same Games. Now with a fourth gold on Wednesday he has joined an elite group of athletes. Only two others have won as many.
American speedskater Eric Heiden won five at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, and Russian speedskater Lydia Skoblikova won four at the 1964 Innsbruck Games.
Bjoerndalen won the 12.5K pursuit Saturday, the 10K sprint last Wednesday and the 20K race on Feb. 11. He also finished sixth in the 30K freestyle cross-country race on Feb. 9.
In the 2002 Winter Games, he has become what Michael Jordan is to American basketball. And the U.S. biathletes hope Americans will now take notice of the sport.
"It's pretty cool that an athlete from my sport," said Alaskan Jeremy Teela, "has the honor of winning four gold medals."
E-MAIL: donna@desnews.com
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February 21, 2002
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