Sochi Olympics: Norway wins inaugural biathlon mixed relay

SOCHI, Russia — Norway won the first Olympic mixed relay in biathlon on Wednesday, and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen became the most decorated Winter Olympian ever with 13 medals.

Bjoerndalen broke the record he shared with cross-country skiing great Bjoern Daehlie, also matching his fellow Norwegian’s record of eight gold medals. Bjoerndalen earlier won gold in Sochi in the men’s sprint biathlon.

Bjoerndalen can win another medal in the final men’s biathlon event of the Sochi Games, the 4x7.5K relay on Saturday.

Tora Berger faulted twice, but Tiril Eckhoff, Bjoerndalen and Emil Hegle Svendsen all shot cleanly for Norway. They finished in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 17.0 seconds.

Czech Republic was 32.6 second behind to win silver, and Italy came in 58.2 seconds behind for bronze.

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