With Jarl Magnus Riiber’s recent retirement announcement, the end of an era is near. His legacy is out of the world and he plans to retire in March. On 29 January 2025, he announced that he would not be playing in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games where he was a fan favourite and a strong contender.
Riiber recently disclosed that the primary reason for his early retirement is his disease. He has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory condition.
“It’s not just the disease making this decision for me,” Riiber said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s the total package.”
“Even when results come, I don’t find the joy in it anymore,” he said. “The sport consumes my entire day, every day, and it feels like I am a prisoner to my own goals.”
He also mentioned that he wished to spend some more time with his family, including a 4-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son. He has maintained a private personal life with not so much information available publicly.
“Since September, I have only spent three weeks with my family,” was posted on Riiber’s social media, according to a translation.
The Nordic-combined athlete has a phenomenal career that lasted for about a decade. Let’s take a look at his legacy.
From Humble Beginnings: Riiber’s Rise to Fame
Jardin Magnus Riiber was born in 1997 in Norway. He was born and brought up in Oslo and started skiing at an early age which is common in Norwegian culture. Soon he developed a passion for the sport and debuted in the World Cup in the 2014-15 season and won his first gold in 2016.
He also owns a world record for most individual World Cup wins in Nordic combined, which is 76 in total. Riiber is a five-time Nordic Combined World Cup champion. He also owns multiple World Champion titles across multiple categories.
The Norwegian won an Olympic Silver medal at the team event. However, the lack of Olympic gold in his cabinet did not deter his sportsman spirit.
“My Olympic career hasn’t been what I expected, but it’s not going to be what defines my career for me. When I was a child, I dreamed of being like Eric Frenzel and dominating the sport.”
“I have lived my dream,” he added.
A Trophy Cabinet Like No Other: Riiber’s Most Notable Achievements
- PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games: Silver in 2018
- World Championship titles in individual NH: Gold in 2019,2021 and 2023
- World Championship titles in individual LH: Silver in 2021 and gold in 2023
- World Championship titles NH/LH: Gold in 2019,2021 and 2023
- World Championship titles in team spirit LH: Silver in 2019 and 2021
- World Championship title in mixed team LH: Gold in 2023
- World Cup titles: Gold in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
- World Record: He holds a world record for most individual World Cup wins, which is 76.
