Anaëlle Bondoux announces retirement from biathlon at age 22

French biathlon talent Anaëlle Bondoux has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 22. The decision comes just two months before the start of the new season.

Bondoux, a former junior world champion who won gold in the relay at the 2025 Biathlon Junior World Championships in Östersund, stated that she has reached the end of her journey in the sport. She expressed a desire to pursue a different life and noted that the passion for competition had faded after years of dedication and self-sacrifice.

Her career had previously been impacted by injuries, including a concussion sustained during training in late 2024, as well as subsequent health issues. Despite a recent attempt at a comeback, she decided to step away to focus on new interests.