Laura Dahlmeier, the iconic German double Olympic biathlon champion, passed away after a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. The incident took place on Monday around midday, at an altitude of about 5,700 meters on Laila Peak. At only 31, Dahlmeier’s life was ahead of her. Tragically, it was cut short on her own adventurous expedition to the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, that she’d been exploring since the end of June.
Dahlmeier, who grew up in the Bavarian ski resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, made a huge splash on the international biathlon scene. She became a history-maker at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. With this victory, she made history as the first female biathlete to win the sprint and pursuit events at the same Olympics. Her stunning run earned her two gold medals and an individual bronze, cementing her legacy as one of the greats in winter sporting history.
Even after retiring from competitive biathlon in 2019, at the young age of 25, Dahlmeier continued to be a prominent figure in the sports community. Her enthusiasm as an expert commentator conveyed her joy for the winter sports she adored. On the side, she was an active mountain rescue service member and ski guide.
During an acclimatization climb with her mountaineering partner, Dahlmeier encountered an unanticipated rockfall that took her life in an instant. The good news is that her partner was unharmed and remained on the crash scene.
Bavarian premier Markus Söder offered his condolences and said that Dahlmeier was a kind-hearted person. He remarked, “Laura epitomised her native Bavaria in the best sense of the word: she was ambitious and successful, yet always remained humble and close to her homeland.” Söder noted that her impact went beyond sport, with thousands of youths motivated by her commitment on the playing fields.
On her passing, the German Olympic Sports Confederation commemorated her legacy. They continued, “She was more than an Olympic champion – she represented extraordinary heart, fierce attitude and forward vision combined.” This feeling is indicative of the incredible mark Dahlmeier left on her sport and her hometown.
In a statement issued by her representatives, they released Dahlmeier’s hopes for her recovery. They wrote, “Laura Dahlmeier expressed very clearly in her advance directive that no one should risk their life to retrieve her in an extreme scenario.”