Bø, winner of four gold medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and five at the World Championships in Oberhof last month, missed the last stage of the IBU World Cup in Östersund because of COVID-19.

However, he eased to victory on his return in the 10 kilometres sprint, despite a penalty in the standing shooting element at the Holmenkollen National Arena.

His miss in the second round of shooting significantly reduced a big lead, moving Martin Ponsiluoma of Sweden to within seven seconds.

Bø was still able to power home to victory in 25min 13.0sec, beating Ponsiluoma by 23.9sec.

Former sprint world champion Benedikt Doll of Germany placed third in 25:41.9 after shooting clean.

Bø was presented with the sprint Crystal Globe after the race for the third time in his career, with his compatriot Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen also receiving the individual World Cup score Crystal Globe and the Norwegian team the Nations Cup Globe.

Bø said it was "crazy" to win all eight sprint races, and was pleased with how he overcame the challenge posed by COVID-19.

"It was a mental fight to aim for one more," he admitted.

"I really wanted to try and then COVID came and set me a little bit back.

"It did not look like that today.

"I felt good and I am just glad it worked out and I am able to race the final races."

He has already sealed the overall IBU World Cup title for the fourth time.

The women's 7.5km sprint is due to be held tomorrow in Holmenkollen, with the World Cup seasons on both circuits concluding on Saturday (March 18) and Sunday (March 19) with pursuit and mass start races.