Biathlon titan Johannes Bö grapples with fluoride ban woes

Have the Germans shaken up international biathlon competitions? National coach Uros Velepec thinks a third DSV skier may secure the yellow jersey. Meanwhile, reigning champion Bö struggles with the latest fluoride ban in winter sports.

Norwegian biathlon ace Johannes Thingnes Bö encounters challenges due to the ban on fluoride in skis. He notes, "It's a significant difference with fluoride-free skis compared to before. You no longer need strength in your upper body to glide effortlessly. That's no longer the case." Consequently, the five-time Olympic champion confesses, "Now I'm simply too weak, I need more muscles."

Saturday's sprint in Östersund saw Bö finish in 18th place after posting the fourth-best time. Although he ranked second in the mixed relay at the beginning, he attained third place in the individual event and the relay victory. Despite this, the situation feels frustrating to Bö, who remarks, "It's an insane challenge. I have to find my old strength again."

Meanwhile, the German team flourishes. According to coach Uros Velepec, the strong start of the season is causing rivals like Norway to reconsider their position. "The Norwegians are a bit nervous," said the Slovenian coach in Östersund, Sweden. The Scandinavians, who have dominated the past, lack victories while Roman Rees and Philipp Nawrath have already earned two triumphs for the German Ski Association. Velepec explains, "We're giving them a bit of a scare. That's also beneficial for us."

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Despite the fluoride ban impacting Norwegian biathlon king Johannes Thingnes Bö, the German team is excelling. With Roman Rees and Philipp Nawrath securing two victories, their impressive performance is causing anxiety among traditional powerhouses, resulting in three Germans leading the overall standings in the World Cup.

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Enrichment Data:

The ban on fluoride in winter sports, primarily in Finland, does not directly relate to Norwegian biathlon champion Johannes Thingnes Bö or the German biathlon team, according to the available sources. The current data does not prove any link between the banned fluoride in Finnish snow sports and its impact on Norwegian or German biathletes or teams.

However, it's worth noting that the sources discuss the 2025 Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. French biathletes like Julia Simon and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, as well as German biathlete Franziska Preuss, have performed commendably, winning gold and silver medals, respectively[2][4][5]. No information is provided regarding any impact from the fluoride ban on these athletes or teams.

For accurate details on Johannes Thingnes Bö's performance and any possible repercussions from the fluoride ban in Finnish winter sports, refer to sources that focus exclusively on his athletic achievements and the implications of the mentioned ban. The presented information does not contain such specifics.