Medals update: Johannes Thinges Boe wins fourth Beijing 2022 biathlon gold bagging 15km mass start title

Norwegian ace Johannes Thingnes Boe was in flying form on the skis to claim his fourth biathlon gold medal of Beijing 2022, winning the men’s 15km mass start event on Friday (18 February).

Boe missed four targets across the four shooting stages – two prone and two standing – but it was of no consequence for the fast-skiing Norwegian. He raced home in comfort without a competitor in sight to claim his fifth medal of the Games in a time of 38:14.4.

Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma followed 40 seconds adrift, clocking 38:54.7 with Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen giving Norway a 1-3 podium claiming bronze in 39:26.9.

Boe bows out of these Olympic Winter Games, winning medals in five of the six events in which he participated, adding to the three golds in the 10km sprint, men’s 4x7.5km relay and mixed relay 4x6km and the bronze in the men’s 20km individual. The 28-year-old now has eight career Olympic medals to his name after winning three – one gold and two silvers – in PyeongChang 2018.

"I thought, five medals in six races, four golds. Also the 15th gold medal for Norway during this Olympic Games. No one has ever done that before, so big day for the nation as well," Boe said about what went through his mind as he crossed the finish.

"It means a lot. You cannot predict how the Olympic Games will be. My last years as a biathlete have been fantastic but it is the Games that matter and I'm really happy that I did my best biathlon in the Games, not only before and after. Very relieved."

Boe and Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet were the first into the first prone stage but lost some ground after missing a target each. They made up for it on the cross-country loop, entering the second prone again at the top of the field.

Fillon Maillet missed another shot which proved costly in his pursuit of a sixth medal at the Games, and in the end, he had to settle with a fourth place.

Boe continued to dominate the race and managed to stay the course despite missing one target on the first standing stage and two on the second.

His blistering speed across the snow proved too much for a chasing Ponsiluoma and Christiansen, missing two and three targets, respectively.

"The key moment was my second prone when I shot clean and I went out in front. And then I made the gap I wanted and from there I never looked back," said Boe.

Men’s 15km mass start results:

1- Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) – 38:14.4

2- Martin Ponsiluoma (SWE) – 38:54.7

3- Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (NOR) – 39:26.9