The athlete will receive a X6 Active Hybrid vehicle with BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, in order to fulfill his new role as BMW winter sports ambassador.
“BMW and biathlon are an excellent match,” said Bjorndalen. “It’s fantastic to be lining up for events as an ambassador for BMW.”
Bjorndalen is considered to be the most successful biathlete in the history of the sport, with 92 World Cup wins. At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City (USA), the 36-year-old won all three individual disciplines and the relay.
At last year’s Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (CAN) he added an individual silver medal and relay gold to his collection. In total he has won six Olympic gold medals, four silvers and one bronze, plus no fewer than 14 World Championship titles.
The Norwegian is currently lying third in the IBU World Cup Biathlon. The BMW logo can be seen on barriers and the athletes’ bibs – among other places – in the IBU World Cup Biathlon events in Europe and North America, and in the 2011 Biathlon World Championships in Russia.
“We’re delighted that such an exceptionally talented athlete as Ole Einar Bjorndalen will be representing the BMW brand,” stated Johannes Seibert, Head of Marketing BMW Germany. “Through his sporting achievements over many years he has embodied outstanding precision, endurance and success – attributes shared by the BMW brand. This makes him the perfect choice for BMW biathlon and cross-country skiing ambassador.”
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