Double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier has died in a climbing accident aged 31, her administration and the German Olympic Sports activities Confederation (DOSB) confirmed to CNN Sports activities.
The retired German biathlete was struck by falling rocks at round noon native time on Monday whereas climbing Pakistan’s Laila Peak within the Karakoram mountain vary, her staff stated on Instagram Tuesday.
“The DOSB and the entire of German sport mourn the lack of Laura Dahlmeier,” Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports activities Confederation, stated in a press release to CNN Sports activities. “We’re deeply shocked by the sudden and far too early demise of this glorious individual. Our ideas are along with her household and mates and we are going to supply our help wherever we are able to.
“Laura was a task mannequin and inspiration to so many people out and in of sport. She all the time had clear objectives in thoughts and pursued her goals.”
A rescue operation started on Monday after Dahlmeier’s climbing associate, Marina Eva, despatched out a misery sign.
However attributable to low visibility and dangerous climate, the rescue operation had been unable to deploy its army helicopters, stated Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan authorities, per the Related Press.
Dahlmeier’s staff additionally stated that the remoteness of the world meant {that a} rescue helicopter was solely in a position to attain the scene of the accident and observe her on Tuesday morning.
In accordance with a assertion from Dahlmeier’s administration on Wednesday, the biathlete particularly requested that nobody ought to threat their life to rescue her or get better her physique within the occasion of an accident.
“The household want to specific their heartfelt due to the rescue staff, particularly the native mountaineers,” her administration staff stated in Wednesday’s assertion. “They did every thing attainable to facilitate the rescue and attain the accident sufferer.”
Laura Dahlmeier retired in 2019. – TF-Pictures/DeFodi Pictures/Getty Pictures
Dahlmeier, who’s 31, made historical past on the 2018 Winter Olympics when she turned the primary feminine biathlete ever to win gold in each the dash and pursuit occasions on the identical Winter Video games.
That success got here a yr after she turned the primary biathlete to win 5 gold medals at a single world championship.
She retired from the game in 2019 on the age of 25.
“We are saying goodbye to an exquisite individual,” her administration staff added in Wednesday’s assertion. “Together with her heat and simple method, Laura enriched our lives and the lives of many others.
“She confirmed us that it’s price preventing to your goals and objectives and all the time staying true to your self. We’re deeply grateful, expensive Laura, that we have been in a position to be part of your life. Our shared reminiscences give us the energy and braveness to proceed on our path.”
DOSB President Weikert additionally paid tribute to the 31-year-old, writing: “Laura Dahlmeier leaves behind a legacy that goes far past medals: her dedication to sport, her ardour for nature and her dedication to society make her an inspiring character.
“Her story stays. As a daughter, sister, good friend, Olympian and biathlon legend. Laura will without end stay an integral a part of Workforce Germany. We are going to miss her.”
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