Accidents off the trail: biathletes injured

For biathletes, summer means sun, training and, unfortunately, unexpected accidents. After France's biathlon legend Simon Fourcade suffered a serious fall a few weeks ago, Endre Strømsheim has now also suffered one.

June 11, 2024

From: sportsnews

The Norwegian, who was cycling with a friend near Bærum, collided head-on with an oncoming cyclist. Oslo police reported that two of those involved were taken to hospital for check-ups, while another person suffered more serious injuries and ended up in the emergency room. “I'm doing well under the circumstances,” Strømsheim told me TV2He has a severe concussion and cannot remember anything. It remains to be seen how long he will have to stay in the hospital.

Another biathlete has an accident

But Strømsheim is not alone in his misfortune: just a few weeks ago, Simon Fourcade, coach of the French biathletes, fell badly during a training descent on the Basque Atlantic coast. At around 40 km/h he went over the handlebars and hit his back on the asphalt. The result: three broken lumbar vertebrae and abrasions on his legs and back.

“If my body had landed just two centimeters differently, it could have been much worse,” reported Fourcade. Despite the painful injuries, he expects it will take one to two months to heal before he can start training again.

Simon Fourcade was an exceptional athlete and now works as a trainer. © APA/afp / MICHAL CIZEK

The summer was anything but relaxing for the two biathlon stars. While they normally race through snow and cold, the warm asphalt brings its own dangers. It remains to be hoped that the two athletes will get back on their feet soon and get fit for the winter.