End of biathlon career? The upcoming season will decide, says Wierer

Only 14 days are left until the start of this year’s Biathlon World Cup in Östersund, Sweden. Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, one of the sport’s brightest stars, will not be missing at the start. Will her 14th World Cup season also be her last?

The Italian biathlon superstar is the holder of two major crystal globes for overall World Cup victory, a four-time world champion and a three-time Olympic bronze medallist.

However, there is one triumph missing from her impressive collection of achievements, and that is Olympic gold. The next 2026 Winter Olympics, to be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, seem to be the ideal opportunity to win the most precious metal, in front of a home crowd.

However, the 33-year-old Italian has repeatedly indicated in the past that the end of her biathlon career is not in sight and her participation in the next Olympics is a big question mark.

Wierer then spoke more specifically about her racing plans and possible participation in the Games in recent interviews. In them she also admitted that the upcoming biathlon season will be a major milestone for her decision.

The Olympics or the end of her career for Wierer?

“It would be great to take part in the 2026 Olympics, but at the same time I realise that I have reached my limits. This season will be a crossroads for me. Either I will be finished in 2024 or I will continue until 2026. It would not make sense to finish the season before the Olympics,” Wierer revealed in an interview with Italian daily La Stampa at the end of the summer.

“Honestly, I don’t know yet if I will continue until 2026. I know everyone is asking me about it, but I will decide after this season, not only based on the results,” said Wierer.

“All I can say is that I am happy with my career and everything I have achieved. If I quit today, I wouldn’t regret anything. 10 years ago I would not have believed that I would one day reach the podium in the World Cup, so I have exceeded my expectations,” she added.

Whether biathlon will lose one of its most prominent faces or whether the popular Italian will fight for an Olympic victory on her home circuit in Anterselva will likely be revealed in the coming months and by Wierer’s performance in the World Cup. The World Cup starts in two weeks in Östersund, Sweden.

Opening of the 2023/2024 biathlon season

An extended eight-day programme awaits the athletes at the start of this year’s Biathlon World Cup. They will all take to the start line for the first time on Saturday 25 November in the mixed relay competition.

On the following days, the biathletes will take part in endurance races, men’s and women’s relays and the traditional sprint races. The programme in Östersund will conclude with the pursuit races on Sunday 3 December.

Source: IBU, Sport.cz