Germany: Sports world mourns Laura Dahlmeier
Dahlmeier, aged 31, died on a mountain in northern Pakistan after being hit by falling rocks on Monday.
Rescuers were able to confirm Dahlmeier's death on Wednesday but not retrieve the body because of unfavorable weather.
Germany and the sports world have been mourning the Olympic champion, with tributes pouring in from across the world. Germany and the international sports community have reacted with shock to the news that Laura Dahlmeier has died in a mountaineering accidentin Pakistan.
The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning German biathlete was confirmed dead on Wednesday, two days after being caught in a rockslide high in the mountains of northern Pakistan.
The 31-year-old was swept away by falling rocks on Monday at an altitude of around 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) while ascending the 6,069-meter-high Laila Peak.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered his condolences to Dahlmeier's parents, writing that she "was an exceptional sportswoman."
"Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders," he said.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry described the news as "deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic Movement."
"Laura made history at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time," Coventry said.
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said, "throughout her career and following her retirement, Laura's drive to push beyond limits and embrace challenges touched and inspired countless lives around the world."
The German Ski Federation DSV said they were "shocked and deeply saddened" to learn about Dahlmeier's death. "In Laura, the German Ski Federation has not only lost an outstanding athlete, but also a very special person. Her legacy will reach far beyond sport. We will honour her memory," the DSV said.
Magdalena Neuer, who also won two Olympic golds and 12 world titles in biathlon, posted a photo of herself and Dahlmeier along with a heart emoji on Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
PCB pulls out of World Championship of Legends, cites political bias and unfair conduct
Islamabad : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that it will no longer participate in any future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), raising concerns about the tournament's fairness, integrity, and political neutrality, The Nation reported, citing the PCB. "The championship's handling of events appeared to be under invisible pressures," the PCB noted. "The apology issued later seemed motivated by a specific form of nationalism, making it difficult for us to continue our participation," it added. The decision was taken during a Board of Governors meeting, chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. According to the Nation, the board pointed to "double standards and politically motivated actions." One of the most contentious issues raised by the board was the decision to award points to a team that had voluntarily forfeited a match, a move the PCB claimed as "highly questionable" and against the spirit of fair competition. The board further criticised the press release put out by WCL organisers after the India-Pakistan match was called off. It termed the communication "politically charged and prejudiced." The PCB said it would not take part in any event where the values of neutrality and fair play are undermined. The board made it clear that it will not be associated with tournaments that allow external agendas to dictate the course of the game. Earlier, the EaseMyTrip Co-founder Nishant Pitti has clarified that it will not be associated with any India-Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The company clarified its stance, stating that despite entering into a 5-year sponsorship agreement with WCL two years ago, it will not associate with or participate in any match involving Pakistan. Nishant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, took to his X account to express support for the Indian team, while explaining the company's position.
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Holder surpasses Bravo to become West Indies' top T20I wicket-taker, stars in thrilling win over Pakistan
Florida: Jason Holder delivered a match-winning all-round performance to script a thrilling 2-wicket victory for West Indies over Pakistan in the second T20I, levelling the series 1-1 in Lauderhill on Saturday. With this, the experienced all-rounder also went past Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker for West Indies in men's T20Is. Holder was deservedly named 'Player of the Match' for his stunning spell of 4/19 and a calm, composed finish with the bat, an unbeaten 16 off 10 balls, which included the match-winning boundary off the final ball of the game. Chasing a target of 134, West Indies looked in all sorts of trouble as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. At one point, the West Indies were 98/7 in 16.5 overs but Holder held his nerve in a tense final over, and took his team home. With eight required off the last six balls and two needed off the final delivery, Shaheen Shah Afridi steamed in but Holder stood tall and cracked him for a boundary to seal the deal for the hosts. They secured a nail-biting win, setting up a series decider on Monday. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers. He returned excellent figures of 3/14 from his four overs, making life difficult for the Caribbean batters. Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but their innings followed a similar script. They too struggled for momentum, losing wickets in clusters. At 53/4 in 9.2 overs, they looked in deep trouble, but young Hasan Nawaz gave them a glimmer of hope with a quickfire 40 off 23 balls, including four towering sixes and a solitary boundary. Despite Nawaz's efforts, Pakistan could only manage 133/9 in their 20 overs. Holder was outstanding with the ball. In the end, it was Holder's calm head and seasoned hands that guided West Indies home, both with the ball and the bat. With the series now level, all eyes turn to the decider on Monday. Brief scores: Pakistan 133/9 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 40, Salman Agha 38; Jason Holder 4/19) vs West Indies 135/8 in 20 overs (Gudakesh Motie 28, Shai Hope 21; Mohammad Nawaz 3/14).
Observer
20 hours ago
- Observer
Ledecky wins 800 freestyle classic, McIntosh third
*Ledecky wins seventh 800 freestyle title *American ends McIntosh's bid for five individual golds *Australia's backstroke queen McKeown completes 100-200 double Katie Ledecky showed she is still the gold standard in the 800 metres freestyle after ending Summer McIntosh's bid for five individual titles while fending off Australian surprise package Lani Pallister at the world championships on Saturday. American Ledecky had to fight all the way in a thrilling three-way battle to secure her seventh world title in the event and 23rd overall in a time of 8:05.62 at the Singapore pool. With three gold medals in the bag and grinding through a huge programme, McIntosh mounted a brave challenge and took the lead with 100 metres to go as fans roared in the stands. But Ledecky found another gear to snatch back the lead then rode home with the gallant Pallister (8:05.98) pushing her to the finish. "I kind of figured it was going to be more than just Summer," said Ledecky. "Definitely the fastest field in the 800 ever ... I'm happy I could come out on top." McIntosh, who finished 1.67 seconds behind Ledecky, had hoped to match Michael Phelps's feat of winning five individual gold medals at a single world championships. But the 18-year old Canadian can finish off a brilliant campaign with gold in the 400 individual medley (IM) on the final day on Sunday. Gold medallist Katie Ledecky of the US celebrates with her medal after winning the Women's 800m Freestyle Final alongside silver medallist Australia's Lani Pallister and bronze medallist Canada's Summer McIntosh. — Reuters WORLD RECORD RELAY While McIntosh may one day be held in the same esteem as nine times Olympic gold medallist Ledecky, Australia's Kaylee McKeown has already cemented her place as the greatest backstroker in women's swimming. The only woman to win back-to-back Olympic 100 and 200 backstroke golds, McKeown completed another double in Singapore with an emphatic win in the 200. Once again it was American Regan Smith looking to take down McKeown, only to be reeled in on the last lap as the Australian dominator clocked 2:03.33, the third fastest swim of all time. It was nearly a second better than Smith (2:04.29), who had taken silver behind McKeown in the 100 and 200 at the Paris Olympics and again in the 100 in Singapore. Just like in Paris, McKeown's win came straight after compatriot Cameron McEvoy stormed to his second 50 freestyle title in 21.14 seconds, becoming the oldest Australian world champion at the age of 31. Fastest off the blocks, McEvoy once again denied Ben Proud (21.26) gold, having beaten the Briton to the Olympic title by a fingertip in Paris exactly a year ago. Leon Marchand and his 200 IM world record was one of the biggest headlines from the Singapore meet but another Frenchman grabbed the spotlight on Saturday. Maxime Grousset rocketed to his second 100 butterfly world title in 49.62, beating Swiss Noe Ponti and recording the third quickest swim of all time in the event. Only American world record holder Caeleb Dressel (49.45) has gone faster. It was Grousset's second butterfly title in Singapore, having also beaten Ponti for the 50 on day two. Gretchen Walsh kept the US team medal haul ticking upwards with a dominant victory in the 50 butterfly, adding to her 100 title in Singapore. Touching the wall in 24.83 seconds, Walsh was nearly half a second better than runner-up Alex Perkins, who set an Australian record of 25.31. There was more cheer for the United States as Jack Alexy, Patrick Sammon, Kate Douglass and Torri Huske combined to win the non-Olympic mixed 4x100 freestyle gold in a world record time of 3:18.83, shaving nearly half a second off Australia's mark from the event two years ago in Fukuoka (3:18.83). Apart from McIntosh's 400 IM title bid, there are seven other gold medals on offer in a packed programme on the final day. Marchand, the "French Phelps", will look to add the 400 IM title to his 200 IM gold, while German iron man Florian Wellbrock will gun for the 1,500 freestyle title to boost his bumper haul after sweeping the open water events. — Reuters
