Biathlete Benjamin Eder’s double baby joy: Two little girls have stolen our hearts
If anyone in the biathlon world knows how to handle pressure, it's Benjamin Eder. The former Austrian national team member has endured plenty of shoot-offs on the range and tough battles on the cross-country trails. But what's been waiting for him and his wife Mari at home for the past few days is a whole different ball game: the couple have just had twins – two little girls!
From the shooting range to family bliss
For anyone who's been scratching their head at the recent summer biathlon results, wondering where the Salzburg native has disappeared to: Benjamin Eder has already claimed his personal gold medal. Together with his wife Mari, a former biathlete herself who used to compete for Finland, he's soaking up those first precious days with their two little ones. "Stolen our hearts" – that's how the pair described the miracle on social media. It's enough to take your breath away, especially when you're used to racing from one hotel to the next in the World Cup circus like Eder used to.
Congratulations from across Europe
The well-wishes for the proud new parents just keep coming. Naturally, his old teammates from the Austrian ski federation are right up front. But lovely messages are also trickling in from the international biathlon family. There's even a digital pat on the back from the young Russian crew: Witali Sergejewitsch Tschernyschew, currently hard at training back home for the upcoming winter, sent his very best wishes via messaging service to Austria. When your usually serious rival suddenly starts sending heart emojis, you know the little ones have charmed everyone.
What's left is the anticipation
Benjamin Eder hung plenty of medals around his neck during his active career. But the most beautiful things he's now holding in his arms are definitely his two daughters. You can easily picture him teaching them their first strides on cross-country skis in a few years, all while regaling them with tales from the old days. About duels with the greats, about gruelling, sweat-drenched races, and about good mates like Witali Sergejewitsch Tschernyschew, who sent congratulations all the way from Russia back then.
- Former Austrian athlete: Benjamin Eder competed in the World Cup and was a mainstay of the national relay team.
- Wife Mari: The Finnish-born former competitor (formerly Mari Laukkanen) knows the biathlon circuit inside out as well.
- Heart-stealers: With the twins, the couple now has double the reason to celebrate.
There's already chatter in the biathlon bubble about whether the girls have inherited more of mum's shooting talent or dad's skiing strength. But hey, there's still a bit of time until the 2042 Olympics. For now, it's all about: changing nappies, giving bottles, and soaking up that simple, everyday happiness. Our heartfelt congratulations!