Vanessa Voigt (front) dealt against her critics. © APA/afp / ANDERS WIKLUND

“Some have never been on skis themselves”

At the World Championships in Nove Mesto, biathlete Vanessa Voigt is not only struggling with her own disappointment, but also with hate comments and insults on social media.

13. February 2024

From: dpa

“You often found news that was really frightening, that was personally insulting,” said Voigt in the podcast ARD-Sports show. The 26-year-old, who came third twice at the season opener in Östersund and celebrated her first World Cup victory with Justus Strelow in the single mixed at the World Cup dress rehearsal in Antholz, had to finish 18th in the World Cup sprint and place in the pursuit 15 satisfied.

“The World Cup hasn’t gone so well so far,” said the Thuringian, who was close to tears after the hunting race. What she wants is more support: “All I need right now is a hug and a few kind words and definitely no news that might push me down to earth even more.”

Often no constructive criticism

Voigt emphasized that she could deal with objective criticism. But when people “who are sitting on the couch in front of the TV and who have perhaps never been on skis themselves simply offer their criticism,” that is “pretty weak,” said Voigt.

Hate comments are nothing new for the WSV Rotterode athlete. She had also published some in the past. So that people can see “what we are up against.” To better deal with the pressure, Voigt works with a mental trainer. That was the result of an analysis of the home World Championships in Oberhof last year, where Voigt was completely disappointing in the individual races, but celebrated a conciliatory conclusion with silver in the relay.