The German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who won two gold medals at the 2018 Olympic Games, died in a mountaineering accident in a distant range of Pakistan, officials announced on Wednesday.
Dahlmeier, 31, went up Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range around noon, the local time on Monday when she was struck by rocks that fall, according to statements by her team and vice-president of Pakistan Alpine, Karrar Haidri.
The accident occurred at around 5,700 meters in elevation and its “climbing partner immediately called the emergency services,” said the athlete team.
But “due to the distance from the region, a rescue helicopter could not reach the scene” before Tuesday morning, said his team.
“Laura died by doing what she loved most – pushing her limits in the high mountains,” said Haidri. “His strength, his determination and his passion have left an indelible mark on sports and alpinal communities.”
The German captured a pair of Olympic titles in Pyeongchang 2018, in the 7.5 -kilometer sprint and the pursuit of 10 kilometers. She also won a bronze in the 15 kilometers this winter from South Korea.
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