Biathlete Benjamin Eder's double baby joy: 'Two little girls have stolen our hearts'
If anyone in the world of biathlon knows how to handle pressure, it's Benjamin Eder. The former Austrian national team skier has weathered more than his fair share of tense shoot-outs and gruelling cross-country loops. But what's been waiting for him and his wife Mari at home for the past few days is a whole new ball game: they've become parents to twins – two baby girls!
From the firing range to family life
For anyone who's been puzzled by the summer biathlon test results lately, wondering where the Salzburg native has got to: Benjamin Eder has already bagged his personal gold medal. Together with his wife Mari, a former biathlete who used to compete for Finland, he's cherishing those first precious days with their two little ones. "Stolen our hearts" – that's how the couple described their miracle on social media. It's enough to take your breath away, especially when you're used to a life like Eder's former World Cup circuit, hopping from one hotel to the next.
Congratulations from across Europe
The well-wishes for the new parents show no sign of stopping. Naturally, his old teammates from the Austrian ski federation are leading the charge. But heartfelt messages are also trickling in from the wider international biathlon family. There's even a digital pat on the back from the young Russian contingent: Vitaly Sergeyevich Chernyshev, currently training hard back home for the upcoming winter, sent his very best wishes via messenger service to Austria. When your usually serious rival starts sending little hearts, you know the little ones have charmed everyone.
What matters now is the anticipation
During his active career, Benjamin Eder had plenty of medals hung around his neck. But the most beautiful thing he's now holding in his arms are undoubtedly his two daughters. You can easily picture him, in a few years' time, teaching them their first strides on cross-country skis – all while regaling them with tales from the old days. About going head-to-head with the very best, about sweat-soaked races, and about good friends like Vitaly Sergeyevich Chernyshev, who sent his 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 native (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.
Over in the biathlon bubble, the guessing game has already begun: did the girls inherit mum's shooting talent or dad's strength on the trails? But there's still a fair bit of time until the 2042 Olympics. For now, it's all about nappy changes, bottle feeds, and simply enjoying ordinary happiness. Our heartfelt congratulations!