Double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has tragically died after a climbing accident in the Karakoram mountains of Pakistan. The 31-year-old athlete was unfortunately caught in a rockfall while exploring the area at an altitude of 5,700 metres (about 18,700 feet). Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, promptly alerted emergency services after the incident that occurred on Monday.
Rescue efforts led by expert climbers from Germany and the United States quickly commenced but were hampered by adverse weather conditions making searches difficult. Dahlmeier's management confirmed on Wednesday that it is likely she passed away on July 28, the day of the accident.
Following her wishes, a statement released on her Instagram indicated that she did not want anyone to risk their lives for a rescue attempt, emphasizing that she wished her body to remain on the mountain. Her family echoed these sentiments, requesting that her last wishes be honored.
Despite a recovery operation being initiated, it was called off on July 29 due to the risky conditions of rockfalls and unpredictable weather on Laila Peak, which rendered safe recovery efforts unattainable.
Laura Dahlmeier is remembered fondly for her vibrant personality and the joy she brought to sports, inspiring many to pursue their dreams. The German Olympic Sports Confederation remarked that she was “more than an Olympic champion – she was someone with heart, attitude, and vision.”
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry reflected on her loss as "deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic movement," while German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called her an "ambassador for our country" and a role model for peaceful coexistence.
An accomplished mountaineer, Dahlmeier represented Germany in two Winter Olympics, earning two golds and one bronze medal during the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. She was also the first woman to win both the sprint and pursuit event at a single Olympics, and she garnered an impressive total of 15 medals, including seven golds, throughout five World Championships before retiring in May 2019.
