As of: January 29, 2024, 4:45 a.m
By: Luca Hartmann
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Shortly before the start of the Biathlon World Championships, a four-time world champion caused a stir with new statements about a possible end to her career.
Nove Mesto/Antholz – The highlight of the season is imminent for the biathletes: the World Championships will take place in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, from February 7th to 18th.
Before the start, one athlete in particular is in the spotlight: the Italian Dorotha Wierer.
Biathlon star Wierer has already made a decision about the possible end of his career
The 33-year-old has already spoken publicly about her thoughts of resigning in the past.
Now she has taken a stand on the topic again.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper
Corriere dello Sport,
Wierer made people sit up and take notice with a few statements.
It is particularly surprising that a decision has already been made.
“I have made my decision.
Only me and my husband Stefano know her.
I made this decision right now during my break.
At the end of the season I will reveal them, but at the moment I’m not saying anything,” revealed Wierer.
Before a possible end to her career, Wierer will take part in the World Cup, but her ambitions are not great.
Biathlete Dorothea Wierer has once again commented on a possible end to her career.
© picture alliance/dpa |
Hendrik Schmidt
Wierer was repeatedly set back by illnesses
The two-time overall World Cup winner from 2019 and 2020 struggled with health problems this season.
Four infections repeatedly set Wierer back.
After she took part in the sprint at the World Cup in Lenzerheide despite having a cold, she became so ill that her coach had to pull the rip cord.
She not only missed the subsequent chaser, but also the entire World Cups in Oberhof and Ruhpolding at the beginning of January.
In an interview with the Norwegian
public broadcaster
NRK, Wierer gave insights into her health problems.
“I've been sick once every season in the past, but it's never been this bad,” explained the Italian.
In Hochfilzen, an infection was so bad that she could hardly breathe.
That's why she doesn't have any hopes of winning a medal in Nove Mesto.
She just wants to prepare for the World Cup as best as possible.
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Possible career end: Competitors want to stay
The recent news of a possible end to her career caused astonishment among her competitors in the World Cup, especially because Wierer would have a home game at the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy.
“I really hope that she competes in Antholz at the home Olympics, I think that would be the best end to her career,” said Swede Hanna Öberg.
And other athletes also want Wierer to stay in the World Cup.
“It would be very nice if she decided to continue,” said overall World Cup leader (as of January 25) Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold from Norway.
The French Julia Simon added: “Dorothea is one of the athletes who changed biathlon.”
At least the dress rehearsal for the upcoming World Cup should give Wierer hope again after her long period of suffering this winter.
At the World Cup in Antholz, she took a good 14th place in the individual on the 2026 Olympic course.
The next day she came second behind Norway as part of the mixed relay.
With these results, even precious metal in Nove Mesto seems to be within the realm of possibility.
It wouldn't be new territory for Wierer: She has already won World Cup gold four times.
(LuHa)