Einar Hedegart has reversed his earlier decision to focus on cross-country skiing and will instead join the Norwegian biathlon recruit team, according to multiple reports. The 24-year-old initially declined a recruitment spot from the Biathlon Federation and announced on Tuesday that he would concentrate on cross-country skiing. However, after further dialogue with the federation, Hedegart agreed to become a recruit athlete and is aware he must work on his shooting, sources said.
The Biathlon Federation offered Hedegart a place in the challenger team, not the elite group, which he had initially sought. According to NRK, sports director Lars Mæland said the federation gave Hedegart time and had ongoing dialogue since Monday. "We have had dialogue with Einar since the meeting we had on Monday, when he got the offer he got, and then we have been concerned with the human Einar. We have given him time. I experience him as an analytical, reflective young gentleman, who needs a little time to process and think," Mæland told NRK. Hedegart's place will be on the recruit team, but he will have an elite-level ski setup and work closely with elite coach Anders Øverby. Federation secretary general Emilie Nordskar stated that Hedegart did not meet all athletic requirements for the elite group but would still have access to top coaching resources. According to NRK, Hedegart described the decision as difficult: "It has been quite difficult. I made a choice on Monday that I was okay with. But then the federation came back to me. And we have made some adjustments." He also emphasized the importance of having Øverby on board: "I have to develop more from where I am now. And then it was important to get Anders Øverby on board, which gives me more faith that the shooting can come together."
Hææ! This is the best news of the year. I have thought he can become the best in the world, comes from biathlon legend Tarjei Bø when NRK calls.
Hedegart is a former biathlon top prospect but did not break through in the World Cup. He has repeatedly stated he dreams of success in biathlon and sees cross-country as a backup. In the 2025-2026 season, he won two World Cup races and three medals at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. He also won silver in the sprint at the Norwegian Championships. According to NRK, Hedegart believes he can win individual races next season and compete for the overall title within two years. "I think I can win individual races next season, I stand by that. But in two years I will have more time to become stable in shooting and hopefully many more races under my belt and can fight for the overall victory," he told NRK.
National team coach Anders Øverby is looking forward to the collaboration with Hedegart. According to NRK, Øverby described the agreement as a positive development: "You become very humble that people want to work with you. First and foremost, you become proud of it, and then I feel that it was about finding an agreement both could be happy with and feel that something can be achieved together." He also expressed confidence in Hedegart's potential: "I don't think there are any limits to that. Neither creativity nor dreams can set any limits. It is not necessarily natural that he goes in and becomes the best biathlete in the world next season in my head, but it is absolutely something that can happen." Ole Einar Bjørndalen has been calling key people to improve the federation's offer to Hedegart, according to reports. According to Ilta-Sanomat, Bjørndalen said: "I hope they offer slightly better terms that would be attractive for Hedegart." NRK expert Torgeir Bjørn criticized the federation for not being more flexible to include Hedegart in the elite team. According to NRK, biathlon legend Tarjei Bø described the news as "the best news of the year" and expressed belief that Hedegart can become the best in the world.
You become very humble that people want to work with you. First and foremost, you become proud of it, and then I feel that it was about finding an agreement both could be happy with and feel that something can be achieved together.
The exact terms of the agreement regarding elite-level ski setup and coaching access remain unclear. It is also unknown what specific adjustments were made to the federation's offer that convinced Hedegart to accept, and what role Bjørndalen's calls played in the final decision. Questions also remain about whether Hedegart's shooting will improve enough to compete at the elite level and how his presence on the recruit team will affect team dynamics. The timeline of Hedegart's decision reversal has been described differently: Hedegart initially declined the offer and announced his focus on cross-country on Tuesday, while the federation claims they had ongoing dialogue since Monday and gave him time, implying the decision was not a simple reversal but a result of continued negotiations.
I don't think there are any limits to that. Neither creativity nor dreams can set any limits. It is not necessarily natural that he goes in and becomes the best biathlete in the world next season in my head, but it is absolutely something that can happen.
To say that he has turned around is a truth with modifications. We have had dialogue with Einar since the meeting we had on Monday, when he got the offer he got, and then we have been concerned with the human Einar. We have given him time. I experience him as an analytical, reflective young gentleman, who needs a little time to process and think.
We really want him. Even if it wasn't the answer he wanted, he should at least have the impression that he feels wanted.
I hope they offer slightly better terms that would be attractive for Hedegart.