The International Biathlon Union is deeply saddened to learn that former Olympic and World Champion Laura Dahlmeier has passed away at the age of 31 following a tragic mountaineering accident in Pakistan.

Laura was one of the greatest athletes to grace biathlon and her loss is felt deeply by everyone in biathlon, the wider German sport family and beyond. The IBU’s thoughts are with Laura’s family and friends during this very difficult time.

Throughout her career and following her retirement, Laura’s drive to push beyond limits and embrace challenges touched and inspired countless lives around the world.

During her record-breaking career, she left an incredible impact in just six years at the pinnacle of the sport. Dahlmeier won three Olympic medals, becoming the first woman to win gold in both the biathlon Sprint and Pursuit in the same Games; 15 World Championship medals including seven gold (5 of those coming at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen); 53 World Cup podiums, with 26 victories; 1 Total Score victory and 2 discipline globes.

At 25, she retired from biathlon to focus on her other passions in life - mountaineering being one of them, having provided a place of retreat and calm away from the busy World Cup circuit. Her love of physical challenges in alpine terrain endured as she went on to compete in, and win, numerous ultra trail running races.

In many ways, Dahlmeier embodied the spirit of biathlon – an incredibly determined competitor on the tracks with steely focus on the range, and a no-nonsense approach to life: “Wenn ich was mach, mach ich’s gscheid” (“If I do something, I’ll do it properly”, title of her 2023 book). At the same time, the down-to-earth Bavarian never sought out the limelight and was more than just respected by her peers, rivals and teammates, forging many relations and friendships that lasted well beyond her active career.

While her presence on the snow was missed, she remained close to the biathlon family, providing her expert analysis and insight for German broadcaster ZDF.

In 2019, she co-authored "Die Klima Gang: Laura Dahlmeier und Freunde im Einsatz für die Natur", a children’s book that reflected her passion for the environment and using her platform to make a meaningful contribution to a better future. Furthermore, the 31-year-old continued to be actively involved in sustainability projects in biathlon with the IBU, such as being a member of the IBU's Sustainability Expert Reference Group.

Laura’s energy and passion for life touched so many around the world. Her legacy, both within biathlon and beyond, will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire countless athletes and adventurers for generations to come.

Photo: IBU/Manzoni