Commemoration of biathlon icon: Neuner and Preuß mourn Dahlmeier

Commemoration of biathlon icon: Neuner and Preuß mourn Dahlmeier

A serious loss for the sports world and the biathlon community: On October 15, 2025, at the award ceremony of the Bavarian Sports Prize, the former biathletes Magdalena Neuner and Franziska Preuß remembered their tragically deceased teammate Laura Dahlmeier. Neuner spoke as a laudator and shared her deep sadness over the loss triggered by the news of Dahlmeier's death in July 2025 after a mountain accident in Pakistan. "I still find it unbelievable. And actually I can't believe that I won't see her again," said Neuner, who described Dahlmeier as a courageous and passionate athlete. Recognized for her outstanding career, Preuss added, "I think she's doing well now in heaven," which was intended to provide hope and comfort amid grief (brisant.de).

Laura Dahlmeier, who was 31 years old, achieved international fame as a two-time Olympic champion and seven-time world champion. Her sudden death while climbing Laila Peak in the Karakoram region, where she was hit by falling rocks at an altitude of around 5,700 meters, has deeply shocked not only her family but the entire sports world. Despite an elaborate rescue mission that stalled amid adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, her body could not be recovered (cbsnews.com).

The memories of a legend

Dahlmeier's family praised her warm and straightforward nature, while the German Ski Association described her as one of the most successful athletes in its history. The news of her death not only shocked viewers, but also board members such as the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), who described her loss as “stunning”. Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder also expressed his concern and described her as the "queen of winter sports" who had inspired many with her successes at the 2018 Olympic Games and her expertise in winter sports (sport1.de).

Laura Dahlmeier began her professional career in biathlon in the 2012-13 season and celebrated notable successes, including two gold medals at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang 2018. Her sporting achievements include a total of seven gold, three silver and five bronze medals at biathlon world championships, as well as 20 triumphs in the World Cup. She retired in May 2019 in order to qualify as a state-certified mountain and ski guide in 2023. Despite her sudden departure, she remains remembered as an ambassador for the sport and a role model for many.

The tragic circumstances of her death are not unique to the Laila Peak region. The region in northern Pakistan repeatedly has to contend with climbing accidents and sudden changes in the weather, which are often life-threatening. This situation was further exacerbated by recent seasonal rains, which led to landslides. Nevertheless, Laura Dahlmeier will be remembered for her passion and tireless commitment, even after her sporting career (cbsnews.com).