Norway is synonymous with biathlon success. Yet when the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games arrived, not a single Norwegian athlete stood on the start line. For a country with a proud history in the Para Biathlon, the absence was striking.

Norway's Para Biathlon story includes some of the sport's most successful athletes. Among them was Nils-Erik Ulset, who won seven Paralympic medals between 2006 and 2018 and became the face of Norwegian Para Biathlon for more than a decade. Before him, Wiggo Nordseth and Age Joensberg reached the top of the Paralympic podium at the Lillehammer Paralympics, while Ragnhild Myklebust collected three Paralympic biathlon medals and established herself as one of the sport's most accomplished female athletes.

Despite those achievements, Norway never managed to build a sustainable system around its stars.

For years, Norwegian Para Biathlon relied largely on exceptional individuals rather than on an organized national program. The lack of dedicated staff, equipment, and long-term recruitment meant that when Ulset retired, there was no next generation ready to step forward.

The first visible signs of rebuilding emerged last season through Isabell Valen, who became the country's only representative on the international level and helped Norway return to the World Cup after several years away from the sport. The 31-year-old sitting para biathlete was not a newcomer to the sport.

"She actually did biathlon in her younger years while she was at school," Schjerven said. "I even know that Tora Berger was one of her coaches when she attended school in Meråker."

Without a national Para Biathlon program to support her ambitions, Valen eventually focused on Para Cross-Country Skiing. She competed internationally and later explored long-distance skiing events such as the Vasaloppet and Marcialonga. The idea of returning to biathlon resurfaced only recently. Valen joined recruitment camps, received dedicated coaching support, and became the centerpiece of Norway's emerging Para Biathlon project. Her main objective was clear: qualify for the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games. Although the goal ultimately remained out of reach, Schjerven believes the season provided valuable lessons.

"She shot around 70 percent in competition, which is actually not too bad. The biggest challenge came on the skiing side, where Isabell was still adapting to her sit-ski and losing valuable time on the course. Combined with Norway's strict qualification criteria, it ultimately led to the decision not to send her to the Paralympics. This season taught us quite a lot about the level, training, and what can go wrong. There is definitely room for development for Isabell at all levels," said Schjerven.

While results remain modest, the Norwegian federation is now investing in something it lacked for decades: structure. The new vision revolves around regular national camps, stronger club involvement, and increased international cooperation.

"We will host maybe three or four national camps every year," said Schjerven. "We are developing cooperation with clubs so athletes can train weekly and then meet nationally three or four times per year. We are also applying for support from the IBU and hope to strengthen our cooperation with other nations. We can attend camps together and share knowledge between countries."

Norwegian officials are working with sports organizations, rehabilitation centers, and other institutions to identify potential athletes and introduce them to Para Biathlon. An unexpected boost came from Team Pølsa, a hugely popular television series broadcast by NRK. The program followed a group of young people with disabilities as they trained for a major Para Biathlon challenge that culminated in a race at Holmenkollen during the BMW IBU World Cup. The series attracted national attention and helped raise awareness of para sport among audiences who might never have encountered it before.

If Norway is searching for inspiration, one obvious name stands out. Vilde Nilsen is already one of the world's most successful Para Cross-Country Skiers. She has previously competed in biathlon and remains one of the country's most recognizable Paralympic athletes.

"I would welcome Vilde Nilsen back to biathlon anytime," he said. "I think we are even more prepared now than we were a few years ago if she wants to join."

The decision, however, belongs to the athlete herself. Interestingly, Nilsen has not ruled out a return.

"We'll have to see, but I admit it's tempting to try it again," she said during the Paralympic Games. "At the Paralympics, there are only three individual races in cross-country skiing, so if I want more race opportunities, I might have to do a bit more biathlon again. We'll see - maybe."

Whether that "maybe" eventually becomes reality remains one of the most intriguing questions for Norwegian Para Biathlon in the upcoming months.

Photos: IBU | Wlaźlak, IBU | Manzoni, IBU | Reichert, IBU | Krystek