Emil Hegle Svendsen

Born on 12 July 1985 in Trondheim, Norway, Emil Hegle Svendsen is considered one of the most gifted biathletes ever. Before making his World Cup debut in 2005, he competed as a junior in the European Cup. Svendsen won 2 bronze medals for the Individual and the pursuit in Koscielisko in 2003. He placed 7th in the sprint and 4th in the relay. Won 2 gold medals in the pursuit and the relay in the Junior World Championship in 2004. Finished 14th in the Individual and 6th in the sprint. His last appearance in a junior World Championship was in 2005 in Kontiolahti, Finland proved to be most successful. Svendsen won 2 gold medals in the Individual and the sprint and a silver medal in the pursuit. Emil Hegle Svendsen started very promising in 2007-2008 season. He made his first World Cup victory during the 20 km Individual in Pokljuka, Slovenia. After that he managed to win 2 gold medals for the Individual and the mass start in the World Championship in Östersund, Sweden. Also won a silver medal in the relay. During the whole season Svendsen shooting ability proved very stable and he finished the season third in the overall. The 2008-2009 season was difficult. By beginning well as Emil Hegle placed on the podium in every single one of the first 5 races. That made him the lead in the overall world cup. Unfortunately after Christmas he got sick and wasn't able to sustain his good results. Svendsen didn't take part in most of the events during the 2009 World Championship in Pyeongchang. He participated only in the 15 km mass start where he finished 12th. But won a gold medal with the relay. Svendsen placed 3rd at the mass start his native town, Trondheim, and a 4th place and later a victory in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia. In the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010 Emil Hegle Svendsen won 2 gold medals, in the Individual and the relay alongside Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Tarjei Bø and Halvard Hanevold. He also won a silver medal in the sprint competition. The 2009-2010 season was one of the most successful for the Norway's star. Thanks to his fabulous shooting and incredible ski style, Emil Hegle Svendsen won race after race and finished as the leader in the overall ranking holding the big crystal globe and the small one for the sprint discipline. The following biathlon season Svendsen couldn't manage to repeat his success. However he won twice the small crystal globe for the Individual discipline in 2010-2011 season and 2013-2014 season. During the 2011 World Championship in Khanty-Mansyisk, Russia, Svendsen won 2 gold medals in the mass start and the relay and one silver in the pursuit. His most successful World Championship was in Nove Mesto in 2013. Emil Hegle won a medal from every event except the Individual. He won 4 gold medals in the sprint, pursuit, relay and mixed relay. And managed a bronze medal from the mass start. Emil Hegle Svendsen was a member of the Norwegian national team for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He won a gold medal by an inch in front of his major competitor and friend Martin Fourcade. Another gold joined his collection in the mixed relay event alongside Ole Einar Bjørndalen, the now retired Tora Berger and Tiril Eckhoff. Svendsen is greatly known for his personal qualities in the sport. In spite of that his sports form is quite changeable and unpredictable. He is a talent that keeps his fans always in suspense.