Most successful Winter Olympian resumes biathlon career

The most successful Winter Olympian of all time, Ole Einar Bjorndalen, has resigned as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member in order to continue his competitive biathlon career.

The Norwegian – who has competed at five Winter Olympics and won eight gold medals – has stepped down from his role on the IOC athletes' commission to focus on competing.

The 42-year-old, a 13-time Olympic medal winner in all,  is now targeting the Biathlon World Championships in his native Norway in March.

"We agree with this move by Ole Einar," said IOC president Thomas Bach. "It was the correct decision since his sporting commitments did not allow him to carry out his function as IOC member in the way he wanted to.

"We will stay in contact and we wish him all the best in his athletic career."