Swedish families make room for German biathlon stars

Sleeping in the children's room, cooking in a strange kitchen, relaxing in living rooms full of unknown memorabilia. Germany's best biathletes chose unusual accommodation at the World Cup in Östersund - apparently with success!

30 November 2023

From: dpa/fop

The very special living situation probably also contributes to the success of the German biathletes at the start of the World Cup in Sweden. The team will not be staying in a hotel as usual, but in normal residential buildings for the first two weeks of the season in Östersund.

“I think it's great in the houses. “You have a living room and also a bit of space to spread out,” said Janina Hettich-Walz German press agency. A total of five houses are available to the team in central Sweden. The families who actually live there moved out for the World Cup and made room for the athletes. Among other things, the six German women live in one house, the six men live in another, and the trainers live in another.

“We always do crafts together.” Selina Grotian

“We also have a children’s room. There is also a Harry Potter room and a soccer room. Everyone has their own kingdom,” said Selina Grotian. The 19-year-old is competing in her first full season and came third in the relay on Wednesday behind Norway and Sweden. If there are no competitions or training, there is some variety. “We always do crafts together. “It’s a bit of a pastime, and we can also do something together as a team,” said Grotian.

The athletes enjoy it

The advantage in residential buildings: “In the hotel you spend a lot of time sitting in your room and don’t have quite as much space. The accommodation in the houses is something special. We were happy to do this here,” said Hettich-Walz. The mood among the ski hunters is currently “very good”. “We get along well,” said Grotian. And after three podium finishes in just two races, things are also going sporty. The next chance for good results is on Friday, already on Thursday (15.20:XNUMX p.m/SportNews-Ticker) it is the men's turn in the relay race.