Laura Dahlmeier, a two-time German biathlon Olympic gold medalist, has died after a climbing accident in Pakistan, her administration staff and native authorities officers confirmed.
The 31-year-old, who additionally received seven world championships in biathlon, was climbing Laila Peak within the Karakoram mountain vary on Monday when she was struck by falling rocks at about 18,700 ft. Her rope accomplice, Marina Eva, rapidly issued a misery name, launching an enormous rescue mission, her administration staff mentioned. Eva, unhurt, was capable of descend to base camp with assist from rescuers on Tuesday.
The rescue operation was hampered by low visibility and unhealthy climate.
Morry Gash / AP
Rescuers have been capable of verify Dahlmeier’s demise on Wednesday however not retrieve the physique due to unfavorable climate, mentioned Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan authorities.
“Primarily based on findings from the helicopter flyover and the rope accomplice’s account of the severity of the accidents, it should be assumed that Laura Dahlmeier died immediately,” her administration staff mentioned in an announcement to German media. An identical assertion was shared on Dahlmeier’s Instagram account.
A separate publish on Instagram honored Dahlmeier as a “fantastic individual” who “enriched the lives of many, together with our personal, along with her heat and easy method.”
“She confirmed us that it is price standing up on your desires and objectives and all the time staying true to your self,” the publish continued. “We’re deeply grateful, expensive Laura, that we have been allowed to share our lives with you. Our shared moments and recollections give us the power and braveness to proceed on our path.”
Any ultimate determination on retrieving the physique would comply with the desires of Dahlmeier’s household, Faraq mentioned. An announcement on Dalhmeier’s Instagram web page mentioned it had been her want that no person danger their life to get better her physique after an accident. It mentioned Dahlmeier’s household thanked the rescue staff and climbers, who did their greatest to make her rescue doable.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier supplied his condolences to Dahlmeier’s mother and father, writing that she “was an distinctive sportswoman.” He recalled that he offered her with the best honor on German sport, the Silver Laurel Leaf, shortly after she received her first Olympic gold medal in 2018.
“Laura Dahlmeier was an envoy for our nation on the earth, a job mannequin for peaceable, cheerful and honest coexistence throughout borders,” he mentioned.
Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press through AP, File 
Dahlmeier made her skilled debut on the IBU World Cup through the 2012-13 season at age 19. She was chosen to characterize staff Germany at Sochi 2014, the place she positioned thirteenth within the particular person, based on Olympics.com.
She went on to win two Olympic gold medals on the PyeongChang Video games in 2018, turning into the primary feminine biathlete in historical past to win dash and pursuit occasions on the similar Olympic Video games. She additionally picked up a bronze within the particular person at these Video games.
Dahlmeier received seven gold, three silver and 5 bronze medals on the Biathlon World Championships, together with 20 World Cup races and the general World Cup within the 2016-17 season, based on her web site.
Dahlmeier retired from aggressive biathlon in Might 2019 at age 25. She grew up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen within the German Alps and turned to mountaineering challenges after ending her biathlon profession. She had been a state-certified mountain and ski information since 2023 and volunteered for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue staff.
A whole lot of climbers attempt to scale mountains in northern Pakistan yearly and accidents are widespread due to avalanches and sudden climate adjustments, based on The Related Press.
The area has additionally been battered by above-normal seasonal rains, triggering flash floods and landslides. Since final week, no less than 20 Pakistani vacationers have been lacking after floodwaters swept them away close to the northern district of Chilas.
