The World Team Challenge of the biathletes in the Arena on Schalke is an atmospheric mixed competition, which does not enter the World Cup ranking. The fun is in the foreground. That's why it's just the right frame for emotional moments. Probably thought the German Benedict Doll, as he turned on the third place lying on the finish line. Doll looked around and saw that Ole Einar Bjørndalen was right behind him.
With eight Olympic wins and 20 championship titles, the Norwegian is the most successful biathlete in history. Actually, he has already ended his great career. In Gelsenkirchen, he still went back to - on the side of his wife Daria Domratschewa, in turn four-time Olympic champion and two-time world champion, which has also already resigned.
Doll did not want these two legends to say goodbye with a fourth place, so he waited and waved Bjørndalen past. Hand in hand, the two drove through the finish, with Doll was careful to stay just behind the Norwegians. So Bjørndalen and Domratschewa were happy to bid farewell to a gifted podium. Doll and his partner Denise Herrmann were celebrated for their fairness.
Great sport on the home straight: At the farewell race of @DaryaDomracheva and Ole Einar # Bjørndalen Benedikt Doll leaves the biathlon dream couple the place on the podium. #ZDFwintersport pic.twitter.com/kEljRswzyz
- ZDF Sport (@ ZDFsport) December 29, 2018The victory was secured by the Italian team Lukas Hofer and Dorthea Wierer, with only 1.2 seconds ahead of the Germans Simon Schempp and Franziska Preuß. Although they missed the success so closely, Schempp and Preuss were not disappointed. "It's so much fun to be in the lead as a German team, which gives you a lot as an athlete," said Schempp.