SOCHI 2014: Ole Einar Bjørndalen: Greatest Winter Olympics athlete ever

Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway takes a break Men Mixed Relay during day 12 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Getty Images)

By Rolf Arne Odiin, Chairman AIPS Nordic Ski and Biathlon commission

SOCHI, February 20, 2014 - When Norwegian Emil Hegle Svendsen crossed the finishing line yesterday, it meant teammate Ole Einar Bjørndalen had surpassed Bjørn Dæhlie as  the best Winter Olympic Athlete ever. The victory of the Norwegian team in the Biathlon mixed relay wast he 13th Olympic medal of the 40 year veteran Biathlon Skier. Cross country Skieer Bjørn Dæhli achieved in his time 12 medals, eight gold and four silver medals. “My congratulations, Ole deserve to have reached this big honor. Medal counts is just one thing to be beaten. I am very impressed by the last gold medal of Ole. He shot perfectly and showed impressing speed in the track, “said Bjørn Dæhlie. During his Biathlon sporting career, starting with the Olympic sprint Gold medal in Nagano 1998, Bjørndalen has won eight gold, four silver and one bronze medal. The gold of yesterday was special because it was more for the team. After a poor round of shooting in the mass start two days ago, he was very satisfied when he shot all the eight targets in high speed in the mixed team that comprised Tora Berger, Tiril Eckhoff, Emil Hegle Svendsen and himself The gold medal of yesterday may not be the last chapter of the Bjørndalen story. He might win another Olympic medal in the relay on Saturday when he teams up with Emil Hegle Svendsen, Tarjei Bø and Johannes Bø. Ole Einar Bjørndalen medals: Sprint Goldmedal Nagano 1998. Sprint Gold medal Salt Lake City 2002 20 km Gold m edal Salt Lake City 2002 Mass start Gold medal Salt Lake City 2002 Relay Gold medal Salt Lake City 2002 Gold relay medal Vancouver 2010 Gold Sprint medal Sochi 2014 Gold mixed relay medal Sochi 2014 Silver medal 20 km Torino 2006 Silver medal Pursuit Torino 2006 Silver medal 20 km Vancouver 2006 Silver medal relay Nagano 1998 Bronze medal Mass Start Torino 2006