German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has tragically died in a mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, her management confirmed on Wednesday. The accident occurred around noon on Monday at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres in the Hushe Valley, located in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Dahlmeier was climbing with a partner when a sudden rockfall struck, reportedly killing her instantly. Her partner remained unharmed.
Efforts to recover her body were hindered by poor weather conditions and were eventually called off. In a statement, her representatives revealed it was Dahlmeier’s written wish that no one risk their life for a recovery in such a situation. “She wanted to be left on the mountain if anything happened,” they added, a sentiment echoed by her family.
Dahlmeier, aged 31, was an experienced mountaineer who had been in Gilgit-Baltistan since June and had recently ascended the Great Trango Tower. She was best known for her achievements in biathlon, becoming the first female biathlete to win both the sprint and pursuit events at the same Winter Olympics, achieving this historic feat in Pyeongchang in 2018. She retired from competitive sport in 2019 at the age of 25.
Tributes poured in from Germany and beyond. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder described her as a true symbol of Bavaria—ambitious and grounded. “She always remained close to her homeland,” he said. After retiring, Dahlmeier continued sharing her love for sport as a winter expert, ski guide, and mountain rescue team member.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry praised Dahlmeier’s legacy, saying she “made history and will be remembered forever.” The German Olympic Sports Confederation described her as more than just an Olympic champion—“she was a person of heart, vision, and integrity.”
The image is taken from The Guardian.
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