Tragic double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier's body ‘to be left on the mountain' thanks to her ‘last wishes'
The German two-time former Olympic champion
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Laura Dahlmeier was a two-time Olympic champion
Credit: Getty
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The German was a biathlon star before retiring in 2019
Credit: Getty
Having retired in 2019, former biathlon star Dahlmeier was mountaineering in the Karakoram mountains alongside friend Marina Eva Krauss.
Krauss alerted emergency services on Monday when Dahlmeier was hit by a sudden rockfall at Laila Peak at around 18,700 feet.
A search commenced the following day, when Helicopters were finaly able to reach the site, with Dahlmeier's body found on Wednesday.
Following her tragic death, a statement on Dahlmeier's
account confirmed her final wishes.
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The statement read: "It was Laura's clear and written wishes that in an instance such as this, no one should risk their own lives in order to rescue her.
"Her wish was that in this case her body should be left behind on the mountain.
"This is also in line with the express wishes of the relatives, who have requested Laura's last wishes be respected."
According to German outlet Bild, local government have been considering whether to grant Dahlmeier's request.
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Spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said: "We were told that Laura Dahlmeier's wish was to leave her body on the mountain after her death. 'I want to be buried in the mountains, that's my dream'
"That was her dream. Now her wish has been fulfilled, so we are considering whether we can leave her body there."
Only seven individuals have ever reached Laila Peak's summit.
Conditions are said to have been "extremely harsh" for the last week - with rain, strong winds and thick clouds.
'YOUR STORY WILL LIVE ON'
Dahlmeier won both her gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang,
She won them in the Sprint and Pursuit events while she also earned a bronze in the Individual event.
Plenty of tributes have been made to Dahlmeier since
news
broke of her tragic death.
The German Olympic Federation posted: "With heavy
hearts
, we bid farewell to Laura Dahlmeier. Her sudden death leaves us speechless.
"She was more than an Olympic champion – she was a person with heart, conviction, and vision. Your story will live on, Laura."
A touching message posted to Dahlmeier's own Instagram account read: "Farewell to a wonderful person!
"Laura enriched the lives of many, including our own, with her warm and straightforward manner.
"She showed us that it's worth standing up for your dreams and goals
and always staying true to yourself.
"We are deeply grateful, dear Laura, that we were allowed to share our lives with you.
"Our shared moments and memories give us the strength and courage to continue on our path."
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