German biathlon hope fights after Corona for Olympic dream: "Mental structure cracked down"

Created: 01/28/2022, 16:38

By: Christoph Klaucke

Biathlete Franziska Preuss was mentally "low" after her corona infection - but the Olympic dream is alive.

© Gerhard Koenig/imago

Franziska Preuß was considered a great hope for a medal in biathlon.

But a corona infection threatens to jeopardize her Olympic dream.

Beijing – It's a race against time: Franziska Preuss is toiling for a comeback after her corona infection.

Germany's best biathlete has not yet given up on her dream of the Olympics in Beijing.

Under normal circumstances she would be a medal contender in biathlon, but four years ago she was fourth in the individual.

Preuss now reveals that she was mentally “at the lowest point” recently.

But maybe the fighter will succeed in an Olympic winter fairy tale.

Olympia 2022: Biathlete Franziska Preuß after corona infection mentally “at the low point”

"I'll decide at the end of the week whether I'll fly with the team or maybe two or three days later," said the 27-year-old on Thursday in a digital media round.

The German ski hunters will set off for China from Frankfurt/Main next Monday.

Preuss was infected with the corona virus at the end of December and was therefore absent from the World Cups in Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Antholz.

"I was already at the lowest point," said the ex-world champion, especially in mid-January, when races were taking place in her adopted home of Ruhpolding.

She has seen the athletes in front of her home window, but has not been able to participate herself.

"The mental framework has collapsed.

It wasn't that easy to get out of there again," said Preuss, who can now train normally again.

Olympia 2022: Medal hope in biathlon Franziska Preuss is fighting for a comeback

The overall World Cup third place from the previous season was considered one of the greatest hopes for a medal in the weak women's biathlon team, but after her long break from competition and a foot injury suffered in December, she is now taking part in her third Winter Games under completely different circumstances.

"I fight every day to be competitive there," said Preuss, who described her corona infection as mentally quite stressful.

What makes things even more difficult: the biathlon competitions, almost 180 kilometers northwest of Beijing, take place at about 1,650 meters above sea level - an additional burden on body and mind.

Biathlete Franziska Preuss at the shooting range.

© Imago

Preuss has no doubts about her trip to Beijing, but it remains to be seen when the Bavarian will be able to compete in her first race.

A start in the mixed relay on February 5 in Zhangjiakou northwest of Beijing already seems almost impossible.

"I'm trying to focus on myself.

I'm not putting myself under unnecessary pressure yet," said Preuss, who continues to train in Ruhpolding.

A team colleague, on the other hand, had to bury her Olympic dream prematurely.