Winter Olympics most successful athlete Bjorgen retires

Copenhagen April 6 (IANS) Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjorgen the most successful athlete in the history of the Winter Olympics announced her retirement at age of 38 on Friday.

Bjorgen is set to make her last competitive appearance during next weekend at the Norwegian skiing championships held in Alta reports Efe.

"I do not feel I have the motivation required to give 100 percent for another season that is why I am quitting " the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK cited her as saying.

Bjorgen won two gold medals among five at the 2018 PyeongChang Games bringing her total tally in the Winter Olympics to a record eight successes as well as four silvers and three bronzes.

Bjorgen who dethroned her countryman Ole Einar Bjorndalen as the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete also took home 26 World Cup medals including 18 gold.

The announcement came three days after Bjorndalen called it a career at age of 44 due to cardiac issue he was diagnosed with last summer.

--IANS
gau/vm