Jurgen Klopp’s unexpected role at the Winter Olympics
Jurgen Klopp will signal the start of the final lap during the men’s biathlon relay at the Winter Olympics this Tuesday afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The 58-year-old, currently the head of soccer for the Red Bull group, developed a passion for biathlon—a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting—growing up in Germany’s Black Forest region.
Previously at Liverpool, Klopp enjoyed considerable success, winning both the Champions League and Premier League titles during his tenure from 2015 to 2024. An admirer of Norwegian biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjorndalen, a 14-time Winter Olympics medallist known as the “King of Biathlon,” Klopp’s engagement with winter sports extends beyond biathlon itself.
“I’m a fan of everything,” Klopp stated. “I love all alpine skiing, I love all cross-country skiing disciplines, I love biathlon. It’s all just exciting.” He acknowledged that while his extensive viewing and personal experiences in sports provide some insight, certain disciplines remain unfamiliar to him.
Klopp’s foray into the Olympics includes ringing the bell before the last lap—a tradition he initially did not know about. “I was even asked if I would like to ring the bell before the last lap. My first question was: What is that? We will be there; it’s my first live race,” he remarked.
Klopp’s respect for Bjorndalen culminated in a 2019 documentary entitled “Klopp Meets Bjorndalen,” where he expressed admiration for the biathlete. “In England they have no idea what biathlon is… but when I heard it, I said: ‘Yes, I want to meet him. Where and when can I meet him?'” he shared.
Describing Bjorndalen as akin to “sporting royalty,” Klopp compared his significance in biathlon to icons like Muhammad Ali in boxing. He stated, “He is Franz Beckenbauer, Pele, and Bobby Moore in one person.”
When the two finally met, Bjorndalen was taken aback by Klopp’s fervour for the sport. “It was very surprising that he was such a big fan of me and biathlon,” Bjorndalen noted, pointing out how easily they connected.
Klopp will be keen to avoid any mishaps while carrying out his duties, particularly recalling the incident involving former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at the London 2012 Games when a bell flew off its handle and nearly hit bystanders. As the Winter Olympics unfold, Klopp’s role reaffirms how varied backgrounds can intertwine with sport in surprising ways.
