Martin Fourcade is second to none.

He overcame traumas and even was spared by death – when he was young, a bullet flew right next to his head because of the breach of safety rule on one of the trainings. 

He overcame mononucleosis as well, this notorious disease that broke so many careers. Not only he won this fight – he spent an astonishing season right after!

He fell from such a height that noone else would ever wake up from. Yet He found strength to live over it and to resurrect from ashes like a biathlon phoenix. When it seemed like nobody believed in him anymore, as if he didn’t prove pretty much everything to everyone – he came back. And God was it a come-back!

He lived over the betrayal of a person that was not only his coach but also his close friend. Again, he didn’t allow this to break him. He only became stronger.

He gave such wise interviews, despite all of the narrow-minded journalists, all of the haters. The only thing he always highlighted is that the World Cup is a great sport event, and it shouldn’t be spoiled by WADA untimely announcements or “dirty” athletes.

He is a man that manages to have time for everything. That includes writing a book and becoming father! Do I really have to say how many Globes and medals he has?

I’ve been his fan for 10 years since the race in Vancouver where he became silver medalist. These ten years changed definitely everything in my life, with one thing remaining the same: each winter I watched the races waiting for the King to appear on the screen.

I had honor to interpret him in the mixed zone when he became Olympic champion in Sochi. I absorbed the happiness he was spreading. I still keep this tiny piece of paper where I made my interpreter notes during his interview. What a moment. The happiest moment in my life.

The Formula-1 orphaned when Michael Schumacher ended his career. March,14 2020 this time came for biathlon. 

Thank you, Martin. I love you.

P.S. I made this portrait spring 2014 and I guess he has it printed (I hope the fans gave it to him when he gave autographs in Russia in Moscow). It even was on TV :)