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DW
2 hours ago
- Sport
- DW
Germany updates: Sports world mourns Laura Dahlmeier – DW – 07/31/2025
Germany's President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, led tributes to Olympic medalist Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. Follow DW for more. "An Exceptional Sportswoman" is how German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says he will remember Olympic gold medal-winning German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. Dahlmeier aged 31 died on a mountain in northern Pakistan after 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.A helicopter used by the German military that crashed into the Mulde River the town of Grimma in the eastern German state of Saxony, has been removed, the Air Force said. Two people were killed in the crash Tuesday, and one person remains missing. Divers have been scouring the river, while soldiers have combed the riverbanks in search of the missing crew member. The helicopter was flying at a low altitude when it went down near a bridge over the A14 motorway. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Germany and the international sports community have reacted with shock to the news that Laura Dahlmeier has died in a mountaineering accidentin Pakistan. The a 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 and a heart emoji on Instagram. Gray skies and steady rain over Bonn this morning, guten morgen. Germany is mourning the loss of Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a climbing accident while ascending Laila Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier led tributes, calling her a role model and a national treasure. Rescue teams confirmed her death on Wednesday, but due to harsh weather conditions, they were unable to recover her body. In today's blog, we'll reflect on Dahlmeier's legacy and how she'll be remembered by fans, fellow athletes, and the wider public. Later this morning, we're expecting fresh data from Germany's statistics office, an early estimate of July's inflation. Analysts are predicting a slight slowdown in price growth, though not enough to bring real relief to consumers still grappling with high costs for food and services.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Deeply shocking': Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier dies in climbing accident in Pakistan; had wished to remain in mountains
Germany's Laura Dahlmeier (AP) Laura Dahlmeier,31, the double Olympic biathlon champion from Germany, has died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan, her management confirmed on Wednesday. She was fatally struck by a sudden rockfall as she was scaling the mountain with her climbing partner Marina Eva, who then called emergency services for help, reports the BBC. The incident occurred around noon on Monday, near the 5,700-metre (18,700 feet) mark of Laila Peak in the Hushe Valley, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, reports the Guardian. She had been in the region since the end of June and successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower before the accident. 'Laura Dahlmeier died on 28 July in a mountain accident on Laila Peak (6,069 meters) in Pakistan's Karakoram range,' her representatives were quoted as saying by German newspaper Die Welt. 'A recovery operation was launched but ultimately called off on the evening of 29 July.' Dahlmeier reportedly died instantly while her mountaineering partner was unharmed and stayed at the site. Adverse weather conditions have so far hindered rescue helicopters from accessing the area. 'It was Laura Dahlmeier's express and written will that in a case like this, no one should risk their life to recover her,' said her representatives, reported the Guardian. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Average Cost To Rent A Private Jet May Surprise You (View Prices) Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo 'It was her wish to leave her body behind on the mountain in this case. This is also in line with the wishes of her relatives.' Kristy Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, said that Dahlmeier's death is "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,' added Coventry, reports the Guardian. Born in the Bavarian ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Dahlmeier retired from biathlon in 2019, at the age of 25, after making history as the first female biathlete to win both the sprint and pursuit events at a single Olympics. She earned two gold medals and a bronze at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Dahlmeier was an"ambassador for our country around the world and a role model for peaceful, joyful and fair coexistence across borders", said German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Press and Journal
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
'I won Olympic gold, Moray Leisure Centre ice rink closure will rob generations of kids realising dreams'
Young curlers in Moray have access to coaching from some of the finest curling minds in the world. This training is being led by Elgin-based Olympic champion Janice Rankin, who has a connection with the ice rink that is a huge part of her life. This link between the elite level of competition and Moray's grassroots could be severed after Moray Leisure Centre's decision to temporarily close the ice rink. It follows their original decision to shut the rink entirely after rising energy costs had forced the gym, ice rink and leisure facility to try and cut costs. Mrs Rankin graced the top step of the podium in 2002 after competing with her team in the Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City. She was part of the Rhona Martin-led rink that had nearly 6 million TV viewers gripped until nearly midnight before finally claiming gold. However, she has also achieved medal-winning results in World, European and Junior championships after first picking up curling in Edinburgh. Moving to Inverness in 2000 and then to Elgin in 2003, after the birth of her first child, Mrs Rankin has had a long history with Moray Leisure Centre's ice rink, practising there 'whenever I had the chance.' Since pulling back from international competition, she has continued to support her children's passion for curling and stepped into the world of coaching. Her role within Moray Junior Curling Club has expanded over the years, becoming club secretary during Covid and landing the role of head coach in the last two years. Curling is available between Monday and Wednesday at the rink, and she told us: 'Every day that curling is available, I am there.' Having spent years with the juniors, watching them grow and develop their curling, she has found it 'heartbreaking' to learn of the rink's uncertain future. Mrs Rankin said it had been amazing to watch children come and develop on the rink as curlers, but also as people. She calls the game a 'life skill sport', which gives youngsters a chance to mix with other schoolkids and adults from across Moray. She said: 'It's brilliant for the kids here, because curling is such an inclusive sport. 'Children can play against adults, boys play against girls, boys and girls play together. 'I see the changes in some of the kids as the years go by. It's just so good to see their confidence improve and the way they interact with others.' Of the young curlers, some come from further afield towns like Forres and Keith. Many then form teams and compete in adult leagues, all of which will become harder to organise if the rink closes for good. With the nearest ice rinks in Inverness or Aberdeen, curlers will be limited by the amount of training they can do and Mrs Rankin thinks the majority of junior curlers would give up the sport. She said: 'To drop down from two days to one day, it might not sound a lot, but it will make a big difference to their progression and consistency. 'A few parents have said to me 'My child doesn't get excited about anything but they love curling.' 'To have that taken away from them, I think it will just be so, so, sad because it's great to hear that they've found something that they love.' Despite her extensive voluntary role as part of the junior curling club, Mrs Rankin also dedicates some of her time to Scottish and British curling coaching. This gives young curlers in Moray access to training also being taught to the best curlers in the country. Mrs Rankin explained: 'I see what the higher end are doing and then I try and bring that to the kids here. 'But it's difficult because none of the other coaches are getting the exposure to all the stuff that I'm getting. 'I do my lesson plans and distribute them to the other coaches, so we're roughly doing the same so it's quite difficult to get it all sort of coordinated, but we get there. 'The most important thing is that the kids enjoy it and they keep coming back.' Mrs Rankin told the P&J she has several special memories of her time of the rink. Her eldest son Jamie was selected to curl at the 2020 Youth Olympics in Switzerland, and during that period were both able spend time at the ice rink together in their respective Team GB kits. She also spoke of a 'relaxed' ice rink period during an annual Christmas Bonspiel, and always looked forward to curlers coming together to celebrate the festive period. But ultimately, Mrs Rankin said her most fond time at the rink has been her experience coaching the juniors every week. She said: 'I've invested a lot of time in them. 'I just love seeing all the juniors playing, learning and interacting with one another. 'I just look at them out on the ice every week and I'm like, this is so good to see, you know? Seeing them happy and enjoying themselves. 'If it closes permanently, I'm going to miss them. It is one of the highlights of my week when I get to see everyone on a Wednesday.' Mrs Rankin agrees with Moray Leisure Centre's assessment there are not enough users of the ice rink, especially during the day. Curlers fill the rink Monday to Wednesday in the evenings, but as the ice has to be resurfaced during the week for the switch to skating and hockey, the rink goes empty for long periods during curling days. She is hoping for more school involvement and corporate sessions coming back into the rink to fill empty slots during the day, should it reopen again in October. But she also finds it 'unfair' that national level curling sees a disproportionate level of funding to the grassroots game, and hopes more support can be found to keep Moray's rink alive. She said: 'It's really tough because when you see British Curling, you see the top level players and the amount of funding that they get. 'I totally understand that. But you see that level, then you see the level that we're working at in comparison – there's nothing. 'There's a beautiful facility in Stirling and all the rest of it and then it's like our ice rink might close. 'It just seems so unfair.'
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier dies in climbing accident aged 31, according to her management
Double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier has died in a climbing accident aged 31, her management and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) confirmed to CNN Sports. The retired German biathlete was struck by falling rocks at around midday local time on Monday while climbing Pakistan's Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range, her team said on Instagram Tuesday. 'The DOSB and the whole of German sport mourn the loss of Laura Dahlmeier,' Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, said in a statement to CNN Sports. 'We are deeply shocked by the sudden and much too early death of this wonderful person. Our thoughts are with her family and friends and we will offer our support wherever we can. 'Laura was a role model and inspiration to so many of us in and out of sport. She always had clear goals in mind and pursued her dreams.' A rescue operation began on Monday after Dahlmeier's climbing partner, Marina Eva, sent out a distress signal. But due to low visibility and bad weather, the rescue operation had been unable to deploy its military helicopters, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan government, per the Associated Press. Dahlmeier's team also said that the remoteness of the area meant that a rescue helicopter was only able to reach the scene of the accident and observe her on Tuesday morning. According to a statement from Dahlmeier's management on Wednesday, the biathlete specifically asked that no one should risk their life to rescue her or recover her body in the event of an accident. 'The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the rescue team, especially the local mountaineers,' her management team said in Wednesday's statement. 'They did everything possible to facilitate the rescue and reach the accident victim.' Dahlmeier, who is 31, made history at the 2018 Winter Olympics when she became the first female biathlete ever to win gold in both the sprint and pursuit events at the same Winter Games. That success came a year after she became the first biathlete to win five gold medals at a single world championship. She retired from the sport in 2019 at the age of 25. 'We say goodbye to a wonderful person,' her management team added in Wednesday's statement. 'With her warm and straightforward manner, Laura enriched our lives and the lives of many others. 'She showed us that it is worth fighting for your dreams and goals and always staying true to yourself. We are deeply grateful, dear Laura, that we were able to be a part of your life. Our shared memories give us the strength and courage to continue on our path.' DOSB President Weikert also paid tribute to the 31-year-old, writing: 'Laura Dahlmeier leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond medals: her dedication to sport, her passion for nature and her commitment to society make her an inspiring personality. 'Her story remains. As a daughter, sister, friend, Olympian and biathlon legend. Laura will forever remain an integral part of Team Germany. We will miss her.'
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier dead at 31 after climbing accident
German biathlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier died Monday in a climbing accident. She was 31. Dahlmeier's death was confirmed by her team in a post on Instagram. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) also confirmed Dahlmeier's death in a statement to CNN. 'The DOSB and the whole of German sport mourn the loss of Laura Dahlmeier,' Thomas Weikert, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, said in a statement to CNN Sports. 'We are deeply shocked by the sudden and much too early death of this wonderful person. Our thoughts are with her family and friends and we will offer our support wherever we can. 'Laura was a role model and inspiration to so many of us in and out of sport. She always had clear goals in mind and pursued her dreams.' Dahlmeier was reportedly struck by a falling rock while climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan on Monday. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, sent out a distress signal, but helicopters could not be dispatched due to low visibility and poor weather, per CNN. Helicopters were unable to reach the scene of the accident until Tuesday. Dahlmeier competed in both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. She did not medal in 2014, but made a name for herself in 2018, when she became the first woman to win the biathlon sprint and pursuit events during a single Olympics. Dahlmeier also won a bronze medal in the 15km individual event in 2018. Prior to the 2018 Olympics, Dahlmeier dominated at the Biathlon World Championships, securing five gold medals at the 2017. She won two additional golds at the World Championships, one in 2015 and one in 2016. In 2019, Dahlmeier retired from biathlon at 25. Following her retirement, Dahlmeier wrote a children's book, served as a biathlon commentator in Germany and competed in mountain running.
