Christiansen said at Friday's press conference that the mass start will be his only competition at the Biathlon World Cup in Pokljuka.
It seems to have been a white lie.
When the Norwegian relay team was presented, it was clear that the 28-year-old, who is in 15th place in the overall World Cup, takes a place in favor of the star and overall VC third Johannes Dale, 23.
Christiansen will thus make his WC debut this year, while Johannes Dale, who took the WC bronze in the distance race on Wednesday, will have to watch from the sidelines.
- If we get the maximum potential from all the guys, we will be satisfied.
I know that if we get it, we are good enough to take gold, says national team coach Egil Kristiansen to NTB.
Sturla Holm Laegreid, Tarjei Bö and Johannes Thingnes Bö take the other places in the team.
Peppe Femling, Jesper Nelin, Martin Ponsiluoma and Sebastian Samuelsson will defend the Swedish colors.
The relays are run on Saturday and broadcast on SVT.
The ladies are first out at 11.45 and the men start at 15.00.