Two-time Olympic biathlon gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier of Germany has been involved in a severe mountaineering accident, according to a statement to German broadcaster ZDF from her management team.
“Laura Dahlmeier was climbing with her mountaineering partner on 28 July when she was caught in a rockfall. The accident took place around noon local time at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres,” the statement said. “Her partner immediately called emergency services, and a rescue operation began immediately. Due to the remoteness of the area, a helicopter was only able to reach the site of the accident on the morning of 29 July.”
The incident took place in Pakistan’s Karakorum mountains, and an international rescue operation is currently underway.
Dahlmeier won two Olympic biathlon gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, as she claimed the top spot in both the 7.5km sprint and 10km pursuit. She added bronze in the 15km individual event.
At the World Championships, the 31-year-old owns 15 medals, including seven gold.
Dahlmeier announced her retirement from competition in May 2019, at the age of 25.