By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-30 08:28:31 | Updated at 2025-01-30 19:16:17
11 hours ago
Jarl Magnus Riiber, the most successful Nordic combined athlete of all time, will retire at the end of the season aged 27 after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
The Norwegian has a record 76 individual World Cup wins, a joint-record five World Cup overall titles and eight World Championship golds in the discipline, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
Crohn's disease is a chronic condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed and Riiber says his diagnosis "came as a bit of a surprise".
His retirement means he will will not take part in next year's Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
"The sport consumes my entire day, every day, and it feels like I am a prisoner to my own goals," he said.
"With an Olympics next year, I would need to make enormous sacrifices again, considering my health situation. I am not sure my body can handle it.
"I would rather step away now, while I am still at my peak, to focus on my health and enjoy life with my family. I am super excited to be more present for my loved ones, especially my partner who has spent almost five years raising our family like a single mum while also being a manager for my career. Now it is their turn to come first."
He missed out on a medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics after taking a wrong turn in the combined large hill/10km event, eventually finishing eighth. He won a silver in the team event at the 2018 Games.
Riiber, who leads the current World Cup standings as he chases a sixth overall title, added: "It also causes joint and tendon pain, explaining the discomfort I have dealt with for a long time. Thankfully my medication helps a lot, though it will weaken my immune system.
"Although the team doctors and Lillehammer hospital have given me excellent support and are optimistic I could continue competing as normal, there are uncertainties about whether my health will hold up.
"I would rather step away now, while I am still at my peak, to focus on my health and enjoy life with my family."
