Biathlon: A memorable and exhausting experience for the Italian
After appearing on Eurosport Italia during the Paris Olympic Games, Dorothea Wierer is back in training with the Azzurri Squad. Accompanied by the men’s group, the 34-year-old Italian continues her comeback in Forni Avoltri (Italy) after a Parisian escapade she won’t soon forget.
« It was tiring, but magnificent, I could never have imagined the grandeur of the Summer Olympics, it’s very different from ours. I saw and learned so many things and met extraordinary people,» explains Dorothea Wierer in the columns of Fondo Italia.
To not miss out on these Olympics, the native of Brunico (Italy) tried all sports: “I had the chance to experience this by seeing many sports live for the first time and immediately at the highest level.” But a few disciplines caught her eye: “I really liked artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. The precision of the athletes is impressive. On the other hand, I liked less the sports where the judges make the decision, sometimes it causes a bit of confusion with the audience.”
Moreover, it was the atmosphere in the stands that blew the Italian away throughout these Olympic Games: “The French public is impressive, they have so much desire and passion. Every discipline seemed to be the national sport, all the stadiums were full. It would be wonderful if it were the same in Italy. Many French fans recognized me on the street, I was pleasantly surprised, I didn’t expect it.”
A delicate return
But these 2024 Olympics also left their mark on the biathlete’s body as she trained as best she could in the capital: “It was very demanding work, it took me about ten days to recover, and the resumption was difficult, partly due to an ear infection. But I have experience, so after a few sessions, I got back into my rhythm. Now, the intensity will increase in the coming weeks.”
Building momentum to maintain her rank in the upcoming events, Dorothea Wierer’s goal is very clear. The biathlete also wants to reassure herself before starting the 2025-2026 season, the final one of her career. In her mind, nothing has changed; she still plans to bow out in Italy after the Milan Cortina Olympics in 2026: “I am very happy with my choice, I can’t wait to race one last time at home and do everything possible to achieve the best result.”
Once retired, she might well find a role as a consultant: “I think I will finish in Anterselva and we will see what happens next. First, I will take a lot of rest and then focus on various projects.”
But before anticipating her career change, Dorothea Wierer still has two more seasons to give to biathlon.
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