more victories and podiums for the rest of the season, and eventually finished third overall. The 2008/2009 season started off well for Svendsen. By placing on the podium in every of the five first races, he took the lead in the overall world cup. After the Christmas holiday however, Svendsen struggled to maintain the early season's results, and when he fell ill during the world championships and did not compete in several races, he lost the overall lead. After a couple of middle placings, he returned with a third place at the mass start event in Trondheim, and a fourth place and a victory in Khanty Mansiysk the consecutive week. He won a silver medal in the 10 km sprint at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver on the first day of men's biathlon competition and then followed it up with two gold medals in the 20 km individual and the relay event. He won 2 gold medals in 2014 Winter Olympics: in mass-start and mixed relay (together with Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Tiril Eckhoff and Tora Berger). Svendsen is (185 cm) tall, and weighs 170 lb (77 kg, ) On 9 April 2018, he announced his retirement from biathlon following the 2017–2018 season. Personal life He has been in a relationship with Samantha Skogrand since November 2013. In January 2019 the couple became parents to a son whom they named Magnus and in July 2021 they welcomed their second child - daughter Elsa. The family resides in Oslo. Biathlon results All results are sourced from the International Biathlon Union. Olympic Games 8 medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) *The mixed relay was added as an event in 2014. World Championships 21 medals (12 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze) *During Olympic seasons competitions are only held for those events not included in the Olympic program. Junior/Youth World Championships World Cup Individual victories 38 victories (8 In, 11 Sp, 12 Pu, 7 MS) *Results are from UIPMB and IBU races which include the Biathlon World Cup, Biathlon World Championships and the Winter Olympic Games. See also List of multiple Olympic gold medalists References External links 1985 births Living people Sportspeople from Trondheim Norwegian male biathletes Biathletes at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics Biathletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics Biathletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics Olympic biathletes of Norway Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Medalists at