Jochen Behle

Cross-country skier Jochen Behle married biathlete Petra Schaaf, but they later separated in 1999. He competed in a total of six consecutive Olympic Games from 1980-98, from 1980-88 for West Germany and 1992-98 for re-unified Germany. He never managed, however, to win a medal. His best results were fourth places with the 4x10 km relay in 1980 and 1994.

Behle became known in 1980 particularly due to the reporting of the ZDF journalist Bruno Moravetz, in a season when Behle was a long-time leader over 15 km, with Moravetz repeatedly asking during the race, “Where is Behle?”, as Behle never appeared on the television screen in Germany. He finally placed 12th. In 1998 Behle was Germany’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony. One year later he won his only World Cup race, at Calgary over 50 km.

In 2002 he became the national coach for cross-country skiing and for the first time he led his country to the top of the world for women and men. In 2012 Behle surprisingly resigned after disputes with the German Skiing Federation and then became a television commentator.