Biathlon: Bjørndalen drops competitions

Norway's biathlon veteran Ole-Einar Bjørndalen had decided to drop the world cup events at Oberhof after Christmas, and instead concentrate on catching up on his training program.

Bjørndalen injured his back seriously last summer and spent several weeks in hospital, before he had to virtually learn how to walk again.

Norway's team coach Per Arne Botn says Bjørndalen's further progress depends on getting enough practice before taking on new competitions in the new year.