Bjoerndalen staying modest on eve of fifth Olympics

HE may be the most decorated athlete taking part in the men's biathlon competition but Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen insists he will be content with just two medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

MODEST EXPECTATIONS: Five time Olympic champion Ole Einar Bjoerndalen insists just two medals will do at the Vancouver Games (Getty Images)

With five Olympic titles and 92 World Cup wins to his name - albeit one in cross country - Bjoerndalen has been the undisputed star of international biathlon for the past decade.

And as current world champion for individual, pursuit, sprint and relay there's no doubt the 36-year old is still at the top of his game.

But the Norwegian was favourite going into the previous Winter Games in Turin and came away with two silvers and a bronze - a far cry from his clean sweep of four golds at Salt Lake City four years before.

And while he remains the most succesful Olympic biathlete in history, Bjoerndalen admitted he was playing down his Olympic chances again in Vancouver.

"I tried not to think about the Olympics too much during the season but I'll be pleased with two medals in Vancouver," said Bjoerndalen, who has won three World Cup races this season.

"I know how hard it is to get to the podium at the Olympics. Everyone is at their best and you really have to fight for every inch.

"I'm going to give it my best shot and if things go my way, I might win more than two. But I'm well aware that I might not get anything at all."

Now in his 18th senior season, there's no doubt Bjoerndalen is entering the twilight of his career.

But the Norwegian insists the desire to compete still burns strongly and ruled out throwing in the towel before the Sochi Games in four years time.

"I know I'm going to carry on to Sochi 2014, regardless of how well I perform in Vancouver," said Bjoerndalen, who will be 40 years old in 2014.

"If I can stay fit, there's no doubt in my mind I'll want to carry on. I've got goals to reach and the motivation to reach them.

"I still have a lot of fun in training and competition and our sport is still young - there's a lot of room for improvement and you can always run and shoot faster.

"There are a lot of young athletes competing in biathlon now who really fight for every position. \however, I still feel competitive and motivated and as long as I do, I will carry on competing."