German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died after a mountaineering accident in Pakistan, her management confirmed on Wednesday. The accident occurred at around noon on Monday at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres on Laila Peak in the Karakoram range, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Dahlmeier was climbing with her mountaineering partner when she was struck by a sudden rockfall in the Hushe Valley, part of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Her representatives told Germany's Die Welt newspaper that she died on 28 July and that a recovery operation was launched but ultimately called off on the evening of 29 July due to poor weather conditions.
Dahlmeier most likely died instantly, while her mountaineering partner was unharmed and remained at the site. Her representatives said it was her express and written will that in such a case, no one should risk their life to recover her, and that her body should be left on the mountain. This is in line with the wishes of her relatives.
The 31-year-old was an experienced mountaineer who had been in the Gilgit-Baltistan region since the end of June and had already ascended the Great Trango Tower. Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, she was honoured by Bavarian premier Markus Söder, who said she epitomised her native Bavaria, being ambitious and successful yet humble and close to her homeland.
Dahlmeier retired from biathlon in 2019 at age 25, a year after becoming the first female biathlete to achieve a sprint and pursuit double at the same Olympics, winning two golds and individual bronze at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang. International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said she made history and will be remembered forever. The German Olympic Sports Confederation described her as more than an Olympic champion, someone with heart, attitude, and vision.
