Mountain rescue attempt ends as ex-Olympian declared dead after rockfall
July 30 (UPI) -- A rescue attempt has ended for Germany's two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier following a rockfall on Monday while she was climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan.
Dahlmeier, 31, and her climbing partner were at an elevation of about 18,700 feet when a rockfall struck Dahlmeier and likely killed her two days ago.
"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," Dahlmeier's management team posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday.
"Her wish was that in this case her body should be left behind on the mountain," her management team said.
"This is also in line with the express wishes of the relatives, who have requested Laura's last wishes be respected."
Dahlmeier's management team said a combination of changing weather conditions and rockfalls on Laila Peak made it too dangerous to continue the rescue attempt on Wednesday.
It added that she likely died when a falling rock struck her at about noon local time on Monday.
"Laura enriched the lives of many with her warm and straightforward manner," her management team said.
"She showed us that it is worth standing up for your dreams and goals and always staying true to yourself."
Her climbing partner, Marina Evan, immediately called emergency services when the accident occurred and joined the effort to rescue her.
A helicopter crew spotted her body and reported no signs of life on Tuesday as an international rescue team of expert climbers from Germany and the United States tried to reach her but stopped upon nightfall.
Her death was confirmed on Wednesday, with Monday being the designated date of her death.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation described Dahlmeier as "more than an Olympic champion -- she was someone with heart, attitude and vision."
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called Dahlmeier an "ambassador for our country around the world and a role model for peaceful, joyful and fair coexistence across borders."
She visited Germany's FC Bayern campus in May to participate in its "EmpowerHer" mentoring program for female athletes.
"This news has deeply shocked us all," FC Bayern President Herbert Hainer said in an online announcement on Wednesday.
"Laura Dahlmeier will be remembered by people not only as a worldwide biathlon icon," he continued, "but above all as a personality who had an impact beyond sport, as a one-of-a-kind ambassador of the Free State of Bavaria.
He described Dahlmeier as "down-to-earth, home-loving, authentic [and] a popular and identifiable figure."
Laila Peak is located in the remote Karakoram Mountains in northeastern Pakistan.
Dahlmeier won two gold medals and a bronze while competing in the biathlon during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
She also won seven gold medals in world championship competitions and eight other medals before retiring in 2019 at age 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
What Alica Schmidt, ‘world's sexiest athlete,' took away in 'tough' season
The 2025 season was not the year German track and field athlete Alica Schmidt envisioned, 'but it was definitely the one' she needed. Reflecting on the past season of competitions, Schmidt — who has been dubbed the 'world's sexiest athlete' over the years — spoke about the hurdles she encountered, including a bout with COVID-19 in the lead up to this past weekend's German Championships. 'This season really put me to the test this year. Tough races, lots of lessons, and a whole lot of growth. It wasn't the season I was hoping for, but it was definitely the one I needed,' Schmidt began on Instagram. 4 Alica Schmidt reflected on the past season and lessons learned in a new Instagram post. Instagram 'Unfortunately I caught Covid a few days before Nationals, so I wasn't able to show up at my best, definitely frustrating.' Schmidt, who competed in Saturday's 800-meter event but failed to qualify for the final, then touched upon the greatest lessons learned as she enters the latter half of the year. 'This year is about committing, learning, challenging and accepting,' she penned. 'Everything I need to learn on how to tackle the 800m.' 4 The track and field competitor, who has been dubbed the 'world's sexiest athlete,' battled COVID in the lead-up to the German Championships. Instagram Schmidt finished first in an 800-meter heat during the German Indoor Championships in February but placed fourth in the final. She also placed first as part of the SCC Berlin squad in a second final heat of the women's 4×200-meter relay short track at the German Indoor Championships. Looking ahead to 2026, Schmidt added how she's 'hoping to get my body 100% healthy again and squeeze in a few more races before shifting focus to 2026.' 4 Alica Schmidt, here in July 2022, took part in 800-meter competitions this year. REUTERS 'Still completely in love with the process,' she concluded the post. A social media juggernaut with 5.5 million Instagram followers, Schmidt's online reach has grown mightily in recent years, particularly during her 2024 Olympics run in Paris. Schmidt found herself at the center of headlines last August when a teammate seemingly shaded her over a rocky performance. She also failed to medal at the Games. 4 Alica Schmidt competed at the Paris Olympics last summer. Instagram Despite the drama, Schmidt walked away from Paris with her head held high. 'The Olympics are not just about winning medals. It's about being alongside inspiring athletes while competing at the highest level. Showing ambition, celebrating diversity and people no matter who they are and where they are from,' she said on social media. 'The past weeks were an emotional rollercoaster and I was able to learn a lot. As an athlete I am still not where I want to be and maybe I will never be. But the one thing that is for sure: I will never stop trying and figuring out ways to improve. I love taking you guys with me on this journey and hope to inspire young athletes and show how amazing this sport can be!'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle United make Malick Thiaw enquiry
Newcastle United have enquired about AC Milan's Malick Thiaw. Thiaw has been on the Magpies' radar for the past two years and has emerged as a target once again this summer as Newcastle gear up for another campaign of European football. Newcastle scouts reportedly watched the 23-year-old during Milan's pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where he impressed in a 4-2 triumph over Premier League champions Liverpool. The Magpies were strongly linked with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi last summer, albeit to no avail. They are still in the market for defensive reinforcements. Thiaw was wanted by Como earlier this summer. Despite Milan accepting an offer, the German opted against a move. This has opened the door for Newcastle to lure Thiaw to St James' Park. Thiaw would offer Newcastle versatility along with youth and experience. While he is primarily a centre-back, he can also fill in as a right-back or defensive midfielder. He would form a robust partnership with Sven Botman, which would be capable of competing domestically and in Europe. Newcastle have other players on their defensive wishlist, including Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini and Roma's Eva Ndicka. They could also reignite their interest in Guehi as he enters the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
NBC News
5 hours ago
- NBC News
Noah Lyles gets shoved by rival Kenny Bednarek after rallying for win in 200
Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles won the 200-meter national championship on Sunday and got a two-handed shove from rival Kenny Bednarek moments after the thrilling rally in Oregon. Lyles overtook Bednarek in the final strides and turned to stare down the runner-up, who then reached out with both hands to forcefully push the winner away. Before the beef could heat up, Bednarek extended his hand to congratulate Lyles for winning the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships event and the pair calmly addressed their differences. An NBC Sports camera approached them on the track at Hayward Field and caught the tail end of their chat which seemed to reflect a spat that pre-dated Sunday's race. "If you got a problem, I expected a call," Bednarek said. "That's all I'm saying." Lyles then extended an olive branch as well. "You know what, you're right," Lyles said. "Let's talk after this." Bednarek declined to explain the shove. "I'm not going to say that out here but we got something to do and talk about," he told NBC Sports. "That's all I'm going to say." Lyles' time of 19.63 seconds was .04 better than Bednarek, setting the stage for a rematch in the world championship outdoor meet set for Sept. 19 in Tokyo. Lyles, 28, was one of the breakout stars from Paris last summer, taking gold in the most thrilling races of the 2024 games. Lyles barely nudged out Cashain Thompson to become the first American to take 100 gold since 2004. Lyles then won bronze in the 200, finishing third behind gold medalist Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and the runner-up, Bednarek.
