1981
2002/03 2004/05
2006/07
2007/08
June 19 2010
2011/12
December 1 2012
↓Tura, the younger sister of the famous Norwegian biathlete and skier Lars Berger, was born on March 18 1981 year. Just like her brother, Tora was involved in cross-country skiing from a young age, but later switched to biathlon.
At the turn of the century, Berger performed quite successfully at junior competitions, as well as at the European Cup stages. In season- 2002/03 the coaches decided to try the Tour at the World Cup stages, but hardly anyone considered the final 68th place a successful result. The athlete devoted the next season to working on mistakes (paying special attention to the curse of the Berger family - shooting), and during the season - 2004/05 She entered considerably transformed. This resulted in two silver medals in the sprint and pursuit at the World Cup in Antholz and 17th place in the overall standings.
Berger continued to progress and a year later at the World Championships in Pokljuka she won her first World Championship medal - silver in the relay. Based on the results of the next season - 2006/07 Thora was already 14th overall, raising hopes in the hearts of Norwegian fans that Linda Grubben's retirement from the sport would not be a disaster.
Apparently, the burden of leadership had a fruitful effect on Berger, and the season 2007/08 she performed above all praise. Already at the first stage in Kontiolahti, the Tour won gold in the pursuit race and repeated its success, winning sprint race at the stage in Oberhof. Berger also had a great time at the World Championships in Östersund, winning silver in the mass start and finishing 4th in three other races. Following the results of a very successful Tour season, Berger took 7th place in the overall standings.
June 19 2010 The wedding of Olympic champion Tura Berger and Trond Tevdal, whom they have known for more than 10 years, took place. The ceremony took place in Lesya Church.
At the first stage of the World Cup ski racing 2011/12 in Shushen, Norway, she became fourth in the 10 km freestyle race, and also helped the second team of the Norwegian team take second position in the relay, and her time became the second fastest in the skating stages of the race after the result of the Swede Charlotte Kalla.
December 1 2012 At the first stage of the World Cup in Östersund, Tura Berger became first in the individual race, and on December 2 repeated her success in the pursuit race.
December 16 2012 The Tour won the last race 2012 year and became the leader in the overall standings of the Biathlon World Cup.
In the first tournament 2013 year, in the Czech city of Nove Mesto, Tura Berger won the pursuit and individual race, and also took second places in the sprint and mass start.
As a result, with 11 first places, 4 second and 5 third places, the Tour became first in the overall standings.
Season 2013 /2014 The Tour started with third place in the sprint in Östersund and a victory in the mass start in Oberhof.
At the Sochi Olympics, Berger won silver in the pursuit race, missing out.
Double Olympic champion Biathlon Toura Berger did not miss the opportunity to attend the Winter Youth Olympic Games, taking place these days in her native Norway. R-Sport correspondent Nikolai Ryazantsev talked with the famous athlete and found out whether she was happy with life after her career ended, whether maternal responsibilities were more difficult than daily grueling training, and asked her about the upcoming World Championships, which will be held in Oslo.
Tura, hello, what are you doing here? Are you passing on your invaluable experience to the younger generation?
Here, of course, I will follow the biathlon competitions. I will try to teach young athletes something, motivate them to show their best results. I have already talked to some athletes, but the tournament is quite long, so I hope to talk to as many as possible a large number participants. Of course, I will follow the Norwegian biathletes a little more closely, but I won’t forget about the others (smiles).
What significance do these games generally have for young athletes?
I think this is a great place for young athletes to gain invaluable experience. These games should also give impetus to Lillehammer and its residents, especially the youth.
It turns out that you are acting here as a role model, but did you have such an example in childhood?
Of course, I had my role models. I started doing biathlon after I saw it on TV and found this sport interesting. I followed one of my fellow countrymen, although he did not capture the stars from the sky, he sometimes competed in the World Cup. I also did cross-country skiing when I was young, so Bjorn Daly was the biggest star for me.
I'm happy that I'm watching biathlon on TV now
This is the second season you’ve been watching biathlon on TV. Don't want to get back on track?
I really like watching biathlon on TV and not stressing out (laughs). I ended my career because I was tired of competing, even though I enjoyed training. It was the right decision from my side.
Are you continuing your training now?
I try to train every day when time allows. So, although my form is not the same as in previous years, it’s also okay. Although if I start now, my results will be very bad (laughs).
Your son will soon turn one year old. Admit it, is being a mother more difficult than working out gruelingly every day or not?
I think it will be more difficult when he grows up, but now I enjoy every moment. I can say that I am completely happy. Of course, sometimes I feel tired when I don’t sleep at night, but overall I’m happy with my life.
Besides solving family problems, do you do anything else?
Now I work for the Norwegian Biathlon Union, working with young athletes, and I like it. Now this is my job. Of course, if someone from our team asks me to help with the training process, then I always say yes.
The Russian team has always been strong and remains so
How closely can you follow world biathlon now?
I try to follow biathlon when I have time. I can’t say that I watch all the competitions, but I try to keep abreast of events.
Who do you bet on at the end of the season? Who will win the big one? crystal globe?
For men it is definitely Martin Fourcade, it’s a simple question. But as for women, everything is much more complicated. The Germans are performing very well, but current leader Gabriela Soukalova is also performing well this season. Marie Dorin-Habert also impresses me.
What can you say about Russian women? Will Olga Podchufarova be able to become a top biathlete in the near future?
Yes, she is doing well, I think she won the race in Antholz. At all Russian team has always been and remains strong.
How do you like the competition in men's biathlon, are you tired of Fourcade's dominance over the past five seasons?
Fourcade still doesn’t win all the races in a row, so it’s also a pleasure to watch the men’s competition now. I always hoped that one of the Norwegians would take his place (laughs).
Who are you most worried about right now?
Among the women, my favorite is Tiril (Eckhoff), and among the men I would not like to single out anyone.
German and Russian fans are in no way inferior to Norwegians
This year the World Championship will be held in your homeland, do you regret that you have already retired and will not be able to perform in front of your fans?
Of course, it would be great to compete in Oslo, but, as I said, I’m tired of competing, so I don’t feel any annoyance. I think I myself will make a great fan at this championship (laughs).
What chances does the Norwegian team have at home? In general, who do you think will be the main favorite of the competition?
I think that our athletes will have good chances in every race. Overall, I think Fourcade will be the favorite in this competition, but I hope one of the Norwegians will compete with him. Maybe it will be Emil (Hegle Svendsen) or Ole (Einar Björndalen), each can take a shot at home championship, it’s difficult to single out just one.
How will this World Cup be unique in your opinion?
It's hard to say what will be so unique about it, but there will be a lot more Norwegian fans here than usual.
Are Norwegian fans the loudest?
No, I don’t think so, the Germans and Russians are definitely not inferior to them (laughs).
Survey: Will Berger return to big-time sports?
Passing these days in her native Norway. R-Sport correspondent Nikolai Ryazantsev talked with the famous athlete and found out whether she was happy with life after her career ended, whether maternal responsibilities were more difficult than daily grueling training, and asked her about the upcoming World Championships, which will be held in Oslo.
- Tura, hello, what are you doing here? Are you passing on your invaluable experience to the younger generation?
Here, of course, I will follow the biathlon competitions. I will try to teach young athletes something, motivate them to show their best results. I have already talked to some athletes, but the tournament is quite long, so I hope to talk to as many participants as possible. Of course, I will follow the Norwegian biathletes a little more closely, but I won’t forget about the others (smiles).
- What is the significance of these games for young athletes?
I think this is a great place for young athletes to gain invaluable experience. These games should also give impetus to Lillehammer and its residents, especially the youth.
- It turns out that you are acting here as a role model, but did you have such an example in childhood?
Of course, I had my role models. I started doing biathlon after I saw it on TV and found this sport interesting. I followed one of my fellow countrymen, although he did not capture the stars from the sky, he sometimes competed in the World Cup. I also did cross-country skiing when I was young, so Bjorn Daly was the biggest star for me.
I'm happy that I'm watching biathlon on TV now
- You’ve been watching biathlon on TV for the second season. Don't want to get back on track?
I really like watching biathlon on TV and not stressing out (laughs). I ended my career because I was tired of competing, even though I enjoyed training. It was the right decision on my part.
- Are you continuing your training now?
I try to train every day when time allows. So, although my form is not the same as in previous years, it’s also okay. Although if I start now, my results will be very bad (laughs).
Your son will soon turn one year old. Admit it, is being a mother more difficult than working out gruelingly every day or not?
I think it will be more difficult when he grows up, but now I enjoy every moment. I can say that I am completely happy. Of course, sometimes I feel tired when I don’t sleep at night, but overall I’m happy with my life.
- Besides solving family problems, do you do anything else?
Now I work for the Norwegian Biathlon Union, working with young athletes, and I like it. Now this is my job. Of course, if someone from our team asks me to help with the training process, then I always say yes.
The Russian team has always been strong and remains so
- How closely do you manage to follow world biathlon now?
I try to follow biathlon when I have time. I can’t say that I watch all the competitions, but I try to keep abreast of events.
- Who do you bet on at the end of the season? Who will win the big crystal globe?
For men it is definitely Martin Fourcade, it’s a simple question. But as for women, everything is much more complicated. The Germans are performing very well, but current leader Gabriela Soukalova is also performing well this season. Marie Dorin-Habert also impresses me.
- What can you say about Russian women? Will Olga Podchufarova be able to become a top biathlete in the near future?
Yes, she is doing well, I think she won the race in Antholz. In general, the Russian team has always been and remains strong.
How do you like the competition in men's biathlon, are you tired of Fourcade's dominance over the past five seasons?
Fourcade still doesn’t win all the races in a row, so it’s also a pleasure to watch the men’s competition now. I always hoped that one of the Norwegians would take his place (laughs).
- Who are you most worried about now?
Among women, my favorite is Tiril (Eckhoff), and among men I would not like to single out anyone.
German and Russian fans are in no way inferior to Norwegians
This year the World Championship will be held in your homeland, do you regret that you have already retired and will not be able to perform in front of your fans?
Of course, it would be great to compete in Oslo, but, as I said, I’m tired of competing, so I don’t feel any annoyance. I think I myself will make a great fan at this championship (laughs).
- What are the chances of the Norwegian team at home? In general, who do you think will be the main favorite of the competition?
I think that our athletes will have good chances in every race. Overall, I think Fourcade will be the favorite in this competition, but I hope one of the Norwegians will compete with him. Maybe it will be Emil (Hegle Svendsen) or Ole (Einar Björndalen), everyone can shoot at the home championship, it’s difficult to single out just one.
- How will this World Cup be unique in your opinion?
It's hard to say what will be so unique about it, but there will be a lot more Norwegian fans here than usual.
- Are Norwegian fans the loudest?
No, I don’t think so, the Germans and Russians are definitely not inferior to them (laughs).
Name: Tura Berger ( Tora Berger)
Age: 38 years old
Height: 164
Activity: biathlete, 2-time Olympic champion
Marital status: Married
Tura Berger: biography
The future world-famous Norwegian biathlete was born on March 18, 1981 in the commune of Ringerike, part of the province of Buskerud. The athlete grew up in the city of Lesha. Since the natural conditions of Norway are, in principle, conducive to winter sports, Tura discovered them for herself back in early childhood. Already at the age of seven, the future Olympic champion began participating in cross-country skiing.
![](https://i1.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_1_QbMI1Kz.jpg)
However, she quickly became disillusioned with this sport and decided to engage in more exciting and exciting biathlon. This sets Tura apart from his older brother Lars Berger, who still competes in both cross-country skiing and biathlon.
Throughout her childhood and adolescence, the biathlete continued to train. As Berger herself recalled during an interview, at the age of 18, each of her new days was a copy of the previous one: getting up at 07:30, a modest breakfast, training with a rifle, training in gym or on ski slope. Then home, shower, small snack, rest for an hour and lunch. At 16:00 – another three-hour training session. Then take a shower, have dinner and go to bed at 21:30.
Biathlon
For her stoicism and tenacity, Tura Berger was well rewarded. In the 1999-2000 season she became the champion European tournament in biathlon among juniors, in 2006 she won her first World Championship medal.
![](https://i1.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_2_9tGNRaY.jpg)
This was followed by several more good performances at world championships. different years and the main breakthrough in the athlete’s sports career - gold medal in the 15-kilometer individual race Olympic Games in Vancouver.
This medal meant a lot. She not only became the first Olympic gold in the treasury of the now famous Norwegian, but also Norway’s hundredth gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Moreover, thanks to this victory, Norway became the first country in the entire world to collect 100 gold medals at Winter Games.
![](https://i1.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_3_W8r317d.jpg)
In subsequent years, the hardworking Tura Berger continued to dominate the biathlon world. In 2012, she received her first individual gold at the World Championships held in Ruhpolding. And in the 2012-2013 season, the Norwegian managed to perform excellently in Ostersund, both in the sprint, and in the psychologically difficult pursuit race, and in the exhausting individual race.
Thanks to this, Berger became the first biathlete who managed to take prizes in all competitions at the World Championships in one season. All of this season's World Cup crystal globes also went to Toure.
![](https://i2.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_4_qRhHUrq.jpg)
In the 2013-2014 season, the Norwegian lost ground a little and became second in the overall World Cup standings, after which she announced her retirement from her sports career. Currently, she continues to work for the Norwegian Biathlon Federation, recruiting future biathletes and preparing them for competitions.
Disease
In 2009, a very unpleasant guest knocked on the door of Tura Berger’s life – oncology. The athlete was diagnosed with skin cancer in the spring, and doctors did not rule out the possibility that the biathlete simply would not live to see the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
![](https://i2.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_5_WMM0Ygd.jpg)
Fortunately, the disease was detected at an early stage, and a timely operation allowed Toure not only to survive until the Games in Vancouver, but to truly blow them up with his “golden” performance.
Personal life of Tura Berger
In 2010, the wedding of Tura Berger and her longtime friend Trond Tevdal took place. She met her future husband at the Meråker Ski Gymnasium: Tura and Trond were studying at the gymnasium at the same time. Only Berger, then a young and unknown athlete, chose biathlon, and her future husband did not show the ambitions of a great skier and preferred a general education profile.
![](https://i2.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_6_euqRVlG.jpg)
In April 2015, Tura gave birth to a child: a charming boy named Alexander. In the photo where the biathlete is walking with her child, it is difficult to recognize the incredible athlete with a strong-willed character that we are used to seeing on TV.
![](https://i1.wp.com/24smi.org/public/media/2016/12/26/_7_FnOKy4L.jpg)
However, now Tura Berger, like her husband and child, big sport doesn't get bored. She enjoys the time spent with Trond and her son, creates comfort in the family nest, and periodically takes off and recruits biathletes for the Norwegian team.
Tura Berger(Norwegian Tora Berger; born March 18, 1981, Ringerike, Buskerud) - Norwegian biathlete, two-time Olympic champion, eight-time world champion and multiple world championship medalist, winner of the 2012/2013 World Cup.
Career
Tura Berger began skiing at the age of 8, but then switched to biathlon. In the 1999/2000 season, the young Tour won the first medal at the European Junior Championships, and then the first medal at the World Junior Championships. The next season, her results decreased slightly, so at the end of her performances among juniors, she moved to the European Cup. Having gained experience, Toura Berger made her World Cup debut in the 2001/2002 season. However, neither the speed nor the shooting of the Tour allows one to claim high positions. Working hard on her shooting, in the 2004/2005 season she achieves certain results, including her periodic placement in the top twenty at World Cup competitions, two podiums at the Turin stage, seventeenth place in overall standings World Cup. In 2006, Toura Berger won a world championship medal for the first time, and a year later two more medals.
At the Vancouver Olympics, Tour Berger won gold in the individual race. This award was the first gold Olympic medal in Norwegian women's biathlon. Coincidentally, the medal was also the 100th gold medal in the history of the Norwegian Olympic team.
In the 2011/2012 season, Toura took part in the first stage of the Cross-Country World Cup in Shushen, Norway, where she became fourth in the 10 km freestyle race, and also helped the reserve team of the Norwegian team take second position in the relay, and in terms of speed (among athletes , who competed in the skating stages) she lost only to the Swede Charlotte Kalle.
At the 2012 Biathlon World Championships in Ruhpolding, she won her first personal gold medal in the individual race.
Tura Berger's position in the overall World Cup standings after Vancouver grew every year.
A phenomenally strong and stable performance throughout the 2012/2013 season made it not only the best in the athlete’s career, but also historic for women’s biathlon thanks to a number of established records(see section “Achievements”). Of the past 34 Tour races, she climbed to the top step of the podium 15 times and was on the podium another 9 times as a silver and bronze medalist (counting team competition). That same season, she managed to win a medal in every World Championship race (four golds and two silvers). At the end of this season, the Tour won the overall classification and the minor classification in all four disciplines.
Completed sports career at the end of the 2013/2014 season, becoming second in the overall World Cup standings, while the gap from first place was only 19 points.
Tura Berger’s kind of farewell race was the “Race of Champions”, held in Moscow at the Olimpiysky sports complex on April 5, 2014, where she showed the second result in the shooting show, was second in the mass start and fifth in mixed relay(in a duet with Slovenian Jakov Fak).
Achievements
Tour Berger has gold medals in all disciplines at the world championships, with the exception of sprint, where Berger has no gold. In 2012, the Norwegian Association of Sports Journalists recognized Thura Berger as “Sportswoman of the Year” in Norway, becoming the first female biathlete in the country to receive such an award.
At the 2013 World Championships in Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic, she repeated the achievement of her compatriot Liv-Grete Poire, winning 4 gold medals at one championship, becoming an eight-time world champion.
At the World Cup in Sochi (2013), she repeated Magdalena Forsberg’s world record for the number of consecutive podiums in personal races at the World Cup stages (10 podiums). And if we take into account the relay races (12 podiums), then she surpassed Magdalena.
In terms of the total number of podiums in one season (19 podiums in individual races), she repeated the achievement of Magdalena Forsberg.
She is the only biathlete in the world to win all the Crystal Globes in one season - the Big Crystal Globe, four small ones in individual competitions and two small ones as part of the national team in the relay competition (season 2012/2013). In the same season, the Norwegian women's team, led by Tura Berger, won the Nations Cup, but the Norwegian men's team did not win the men's Nations Cup, so it was not possible to repeat the entire country's record of winning all the titles.