My dream dinner guest

BMW IBU World Cup

26 Sep 2024

My dream dinner guest

Many biathlon fans would be able to name who they'd love to have dinner with but who would the biathlon athletes sit down with for an evening? From Olympic legends to music superstars here are their picks!

Elisa Gasparin: Simone Biles

The second youngest (or oldest) of the famous Swiss biathlon sisters would invite Simone Biles, the American superstar gymnast. With 11 medals from the Olympic Games and 30 from the World Championships, she is the most decorated gymnast of all time. In 2018, Biles revealed that former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar had sexually assaulted her and that USA Gymnastics helped cover it up. On September 15, 2021, Biles testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and held the entire system responsible for enabling and perpetuating Nassar's crimes. American President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

"I already liked Simone Biles as an athlete before her big story came to the public before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. It is just amazing to see how she is perfect in person. I did gymnastics as a kid and still love watching it on TV. When she's doing her exercises, it looks so easy - but it is so difficult. That's the real art of Simone!"

Annija Sabule: Michael Jackson

Sabule, a member of the Latvian women's relay at the BMW IBU World Championships in Nove Mesto 2024, wished for Michael Jackson to share his story over dinner. Jackson - dubbed the King of Pop - was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. In the late 1980s, Jackson became an increasingly controversial figure due to his changing appearance, relationships, behaviour, and lifestyle.

"I would choose Michael Jackson because of the big change in his looks. I would like to understand why he did it the way he did. And how he actually felt being different but famous at the same time. I think he is one of the World's biggest-ever legends!"

Valentin Lejeune: Alan Walker

Valentine Lejeune, the French silver medalist in the Junior Men's Individual at the IBU YJ World Championships in Otepaa 2024, cites music and photography as hobbies. He chose Alan Walker, a 27-year-old English-born Norwegian DJ and record producer. Walker has 45.7 million YouTube subscribers, the most in Norway.

"I'm a big fan of Alan Walker. I have been highly inspired by him since my childhood! I always listen to his music during my training. It is also my therapy during bad days. Of course, I also listen to him before the biathlon races. My dream is to participate in his music video!"

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Jake Brown: Dr. David Livingstone

Brown, anchor of the US men's relay at the World Championships in Nove Mesto 2024, wishes for a sit-down dinner with David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer who contributed significantly to the discovery and mapping of central Africa in the 19th century. Livingstone discovered the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls and searched for the source of the Nile. He also campaigned against the slave trade.

"I recently read a book about Dr. David Livingstone, the British explorer who searched for the headwaters of the Nile. I'd like to have dinner with him as I think he'd not only have incredible stories of adventure but also offer advice for the modern World on how we can connect across cultures and learn from one another."

Rene Zahkna: Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) was a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a renowned Stoic philosopher. His philosophical ideas emphasised focusing on what is in our control and accepting what is not, maintaining composure during difficult times, and treating all fates equally - timeless wisdom applied by many world-class athletes today!

"I'd like to hang out with someone with an entirely different life at a different time. This Roman Emperor looks like a man of the people, and I think he would surprise me by explaining how he governed Imperial Rome and how rich the culture was at that time."