In Sandnes, Norway, where athletes are already sprinting toward the Blinkfestivalen, Alexander Os has taken a seat at the commentary table. The 46-year-old former biathlete has joined NRK as a TV expert, a role he will debut at the ongoing summer event. This is no minor move in a country where biathlon is a national obsession — and where Os already owns a bronze medal and a team gold to his name.
Os’s return to the sport he retired from in 2016 arrives with a familiar rhythm. In 2009, he stood on the podium in Pyeongchang, taking bronze in the pursuit. Two years later, in Chanty-Mansijsk, he helped Norway claim relay gold.
According to NRK’s own announcement, Os sees this new chapter as a chance to give back. 'I felt a need to return to biathlon and get involved more,' he said. The event in Sandnes runs through the weekend and includes a mix of cross-country skiing and biathlon. It's a test for athletes, but for Os, it's a new start.
What’s on the schedule
The Blinkfestivalen runs until Sunday, August 6. Events include mass starts, supersprints, and traditional distance races, with both men and women competing in most events. Os’s debut as a TV analyst will coincide with the biathlon duels and qualification rounds on Friday and Saturday.
Os’s biathlon résumé
Os entered the World Cup in 2003 and reached 13th in the overall standings in 2008-09. He retired after the 2016 season, but his name remains linked with Norwegian success. Now, in front of the camera, he carries the same weight his medals once did.