— Published July 31, 2025

Laura Dahlmeier, in the mountains and beyond

FOCUS Focus

The growing concern in recent hours gave way to immense grief early Wednesday afternoon when the death of Laura Dahlmeier was confirmed. The former biathlete, retired since 2019, was caught in a rockfall Monday while mountaineering in Pakistan, at an altitude of over 5.700 meters. A two-time Olympic champion and seven-time world champion, the German had dazzled the biathlon world with her talent during her short career. Her death, at just 31 years old, sparked immense emotion within the Olympic Movement.

Mountain lover

Arriving on the World Cup circuit at 19, Laura Dahlmeier discovered the Olympic Games the following year in Sochi. Still in the learning phase, she exploded the following year by winning two World Cup victories and her first World Championship medals – silver in the pursuit, gold in the relay. The rocket was launched. In 2016, she reached the podium five times at the Holmenkollen World Championships. The 2016-2017 season propelled her to the top of the food chain: ten individual victories including three world titles, the large crystal globe, the small globe for the individual and the pursuit added to her list of achievements. It was therefore only logical that the leader of the women's circuit achieved the sprint-pursuit double at the PyongChang Games in 2018, before adding bronze in the individual.

To everyone's surprise, she decided to retire at just 25 years old in 2019, citing a drop in motivation. She didn't put her skis away, however, as she competed in the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships. She also earned a mountain guide diploma. Her Instagram account is full of photos of her, with a big smile on her face, enjoying the great outdoors, with ice axes, skis, sneakers, or a bike. She was still part of the great winter biathlon caravan, working with German television as a consultant. In January, she expressed great enthusiasm at the idea of returning to the Antholz site next year for the Olympic Games.

A source of inspiration for future generations

Many tributes have been pouring in since the terrible announcement. The International Biathlon Union paid tribute to a champion who has " touched and inspired countless people around the world " through his desire to push boundaries and take on challenges. " His legacy, within biathlon and beyond, will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire countless athletes and adventurers for generations to come. ", underlines the FI, recalling that Dahlmeier was part of the IBU reference group on sustainability. The German was particularly committed to environmental protection.

« The news of Laura Dahlmeier's passing is deeply shocking to all of us in the Olympic Movement., reacted IOC President Kirsty Coventry. She lost her life in her beloved mountains. Laura made history in PyeongChang by becoming the first biathlete to win gold in both the sprint and pursuit at the same Games. She will forever be remembered. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. »

The German Olympic Committee also expressed its sorrow at the loss of the woman who won three Olympic medals, fifteen world medals and 26 World Cup victories. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Laura Dahlmeier. Her sudden death leaves us stunned. She was more than an Olympic champion: she was a person with heart, attitude, and vision. ", emphasizes the DOSB. Many athletes, active or retired, from Franziska Preuss to Magdalena Neuner, including Simon Fourcade, Gabriela Koukalova and Lisa Vittozzi, have also paid tribute to the memory of the two-time Olympic champion. Other tributes will undoubtedly be paid to her during the coming season, potentially starting at the Loop One Festival in Munich on October 18 and 19.