German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died following a mountaineering accident in Pakistan, her management confirmed on Wednesday. The 31-year-old was climbing Laila Peak (6,069 metres) in the Karakoram range when she was struck by a sudden rockfall on Monday at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres.
The accident occurred in the Hushe Valley, part of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Dahlmeier’s representatives told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper that she most likely died instantly, while her mountaineering partner was unharmed. Poor weather conditions have prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching the location, and a recovery operation was called off on the evening of Tuesday.
Dahlmeier had expressed her written wish that no one should risk their life to recover her in such a case, and it was her desire to leave her body on the mountain. This is also in line with the wishes of her relatives. She had been in the region since the end of June and had already ascended the Great Trango Tower.
Dahlmeier, who was born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, retired from biathlon in 2019 at the age of 25. She made history at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games, also taking individual bronze. Bavarian premier Markus Söder paid tribute, saying: “Laura epitomised her native Bavaria in the best sense of the word: she was ambitious and successful, yet always remained humble and close to her homeland.”
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, said: “Laura made history… She will be remembered forever.” The German Olympic Sports Confederation added: “She was more than an Olympic champion – she was someone with heart, attitude and vision.”
