American biathlete Joanne Reid (USA) has announced her retirement from competitive sport. The 34-year-old will not be on the start line when the new season begins. According to the Italian outlet Fondoitalia, the US Biathlon Team confirmed her decision on social media. Fondoitalia spells her first name "Johanna", while Nordic Magazine uses "Joanne".
Three Olympics, no medal
Reid made her World Cup debut in 2016 and went on to compete at three Winter Olympics, the last of them at Milano Cortina in February 2026. She never won an international medal. Nordic Magazine writes that she left her mark on American biathlon above all through her longevity and perseverance, while Fondoitalia says she made an important contribution to the US team.
The two outlets give different race totals. Fondoitalia puts her tally at 135 World Cup races, whereas Nordic Magazine says she competed in 153 races on the world circuit.
Career best in Östersund
Nordic Magazine describes 2018/2019 as the most successful season of her career. Reid finished that winter 49th in the overall World Cup standings, and a few weeks later she achieved her best individual result:
- 10th place in the mass start at the 2019 World Championships in Östersund, Sweden
Break and comeback
At the end of the 2022/2023 season, Reid put her career on hold, according to Nordic Magazine without any real reason or official announcement. She returned last year at the US trials, performed well there and qualified for both the World Cup and the Olympic Games in February.
BiathlonFrance biathlon: Seven men fight for five World Cup spots in GeiloAfter more than ten years at the top, Nordic Magazine reports, Reid is now hanging up her skis "for good" this time. She will not race when the new season gets under way.
