Silence instead of party: This is what awaits the biathletes in Oberhof

The fans usually stand in rows of five on the legendary Birxsteig and supposedly put on diapers so as not to miss Dorothea Wierer, Johannes Thingnes Bø and Co. during the many hours on the route, but now only the trainers and supervisors are cheering them on at the cross-country ski trail Ski hunters.

To ensure that fans don't come to the arena from Friday for the two opening sprint races (11.30:14.15 a.m. and 10.000:XNUMX p.m.), the police will regulate access to the city. In addition, this time all public parking spaces in the snow-covered winter sports resort, unlike in previous years, will be closed to day tourists from Friday. In addition, increased police checks were announced. As always, access to the stadium is cordoned off. In the past few days, as at other excursion destinations in Germany, up to XNUMX people came to Oberhof and caused chaos in the park.

A picture from days gone by: The Biathlon World Cup in January 2020 in Oberhof. © AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

The athletes themselves, who had previously run in front of empty stands in Kontiolahti and Hochfilzen, ignore everything surrounding them. “You get used to the fact that there’s less going on relatively quickly,” said Germany’s Olympic champion Arnd Peiffer to the empty arena. And for some people, the lack of pressure from the crowds can even be a positive thing. Loss-making business for the organizers For the organizers, the organization of the two World Cups in Oberhof - next week's in Ruhpolding was moved to Thuringia to minimize travel - is now a loss. Nevertheless, cancellation was not an option. “You can always say no, but that would have sent a very bad signal to all possible parties. For example, to the leading associations who expected us to do this. Although there was no direct request, the desire was clearly noticeable during the discussions,” said Thuringian Finance State Secretary Hartmut Schubert.

According to Schubert, according to current planning, the deficit is “less than one million euros. It will not be the case that we make profits or come out of the winter with a black zero,” said the politician (60). dpa . Corona aid has been applied for and the World Biathlon Association is also paying around 500.000 euros in support money. You also have to keep the hosting of the 2023 World Cup in Oberhof in mind. “It is important to take a long-term view of the project,” said Schubert.

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Silence instead of party: This is what awaits the biathletes in Oberhof

Eerie silence instead of tens of thousands of cheering fans, a “locked down” city and strict hygiene regulations: the biathlon party in the German winter sports mecca Oberhof is canceled in 2021.

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