Dorothea Wierer heads into the unknown: “Has to be realistic”

On Sunday, Italy's national team sets off for the Biathlon World Championships in Nove Mesto. The nation's most successful biathlete, Dorothea Wierer, will be there. For them, the trip is associated with many question marks - and not just in terms of sport.

02. February 2024

From Antholz

From:
Alexander Foppa

Does Dorothea Wierer continue or not? This question has been asked not only by sports enthusiasts in South Tyrol but also by the international biathlon scene for months. International media repeatedly fuel speculation about an impending end to his career. Your previous epidemic season provides this additional breeding ground.

Wierer himself doesn't want to know anything about the rumors immediately before the World Cup. “I will concentrate as best as I can for the next two weeks and get the most out of myself. Once the World Cup is over, I'll have time to think about the future," said Wierer on the sidelines of the World Cup preparations in Antholz SportNews. As leaked from those around her, a decision seems to have already been made. However, it is being kept like a secret - and it will stay that way for the next few weeks.

“Things are slowly improving” Dorothea Wierer

So until then it's time: full speed ahead! “Things are slowly improving,” says Wierer. Just as countless biathlon fans are puzzling over the future of the two-time overall World Cup winner, her sporting performance in the World Cup stadium in Nove Mesto is also an open question. She has already reached the podium three times in her career, but was never able to celebrate as the winner. The relay races would offer the best chance of winning a medal anyway, says Wierer, who would be only too happy to win her 12th World Championship medal.

Tick off the season so far

However, a look at the results of the season so far is sobering. A 14th place is Wierer's best individual result in the World Cup. She was injured several times at the start, and at one point she even withdrew completely from the World Cup for a month. That's why she tempers her expectations: “You don't get back in shape as quickly if you've been sick for a long time. I will make the best of the situation, but you also have to be realistic.” Statements like these show: Wierer herself also knows that she is facing a journey into the unknown in the direction of Nove Mesto.

The full interview with Dorothea Wierer:

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