Alexia Runggaldier: “I wasn’t feeling well”

The woman from St. Christina's career was marked by many ups and downs. Great triumphs, bitter disappointments – Alexia Runggaldier has literally experienced both sides of the coin. Still, she is grateful. Grateful for everything she has achieved in her career. Grateful for the emotions she experienced. Grateful for the lessons she learned from the disappointments. At just 28 years old, the Val Gardena resident puts her skis and rifle away. SportNews spoke to her.

For many professionals, the end of their careers came as no surprise. Was the resignation a creeping pro zess? Alexia Runggaldier: “Yes, absolutely. During the season I realized that I was putting too much pressure on myself. I wasn't able to stay calm and translate my training performance into the race. When you reach a certain age, you have to prove that you can reach your full potential. I didn't succeed. That's why the idea of quitting competitive sports grew in me. And because there were no good results, I finally decided to take this step.”

As you with When you started biathlon, did you ever expect to get this far? “No, if I’m honest, not. At the business school in St. Ulrich, the main focus was on fun. I just liked pursuing my passion. But because I also achieved good results, I was accepted into the sports group. And from there everything took its course.”

What was the most beautiful and most difficult moment of your career? “Without a doubt, the bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships in Hochfilzen was the highlight. But I also remember the successes with the relay well. I can't remember an explicitly difficult moment. The season after the medal was not easy, perhaps I would call this winter my most difficult moment.”

Ended her career at the age of 28: Alexia Runggaldier

Your resignation post talks about a school of life. What do you mean? “In order to be successful at the highest level, iron discipline is necessary. From nothing, comes nothing. You have a goal in mind - and if you want to achieve it, you have to work hard. Sport shows a person his limits. You can only reach the level that your abilities allow. And you have to accept that.”

The letter also said that your own teammates had pointed out to you that something was wrong with you. Can you explain this in more detail? “In the last few years I was no longer at peace with myself, I wasn't feeling well. Because I wanted to be a person that I actually am not. They showed me that something was wrong and helped me understand it.”

Have you already thought about what you want to do in the future? "No. Now it was important to finally close the biathlon chapter. I'll let everything happen to me, but hope that I can still stay in the sports group. After that I will look around and decide how I want to shape my future.”

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Alexia Runggaldier: “I wasn’t feeling well”

One of the most successful South Tyrolean biathletes ended her career on Monday. In an interview with SportNews, Alexia Runggaldier explains how the decision came to her, what sport taught her and why she wasn't feeling well for a while.

Suggestions

Comments (0)