Friday 01 / August / 2025
"An Exceptional Sportswoman" is how German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says he will remember Olympic gold medal-winning German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan.
Dahlmeier, aged 31, died on a mountain in northern Pakistan after being hit by falling rocks on Monday.
Rescuers were able to confirm Dahlmeier's death on Wednesday but not retrieve the body because of unfavorable weather.
Germany and the sports world have been mourning the Olympic champion, with tributes pouring in from across the world. Germany and the international sports community have reacted with shock to the news that Laura Dahlmeier has died in a mountaineering accidentin Pakistan.
The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning German biathlete was confirmed dead on Wednesday, two days after being caught in a rockslide high in the mountains of northern Pakistan.
The 31-year-old was swept away by falling rocks on Monday at an altitude of around 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) while ascending the 6,069-meter-high Laila Peak.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered his condolences to Dahlmeier's parents, writing that she "was an exceptional sportswoman."
"Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders," he said.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry described the news as "deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic Movement."
"Laura made history at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time," Coventry said.
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said, "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."
The German Ski Federation DSV said they were "shocked and deeply saddened" to learn about Dahlmeier's death. "In Laura, the German Ski Federation has not only lost an outstanding athlete, but also a very special person. Her legacy will reach far beyond sport. We will honour her memory," the DSV said.
Magdalena Neuer, who also won two Olympic golds and 12 world titles in biathlon, posted a photo of herself and Dahlmeier along with a heart emoji on Instagram.
