Bitter news for German biathlon! DSV hopeful Johanna Puff will have to take a longer break. The 23-year-old confirmed this on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, myocarditis is forcing me to take a break from training and racing in the next few weeks,” Johanna Puff told her followers. And further: “I finally have clarity about what has happened in the last few weeks, but it is difficult to accept – especially before the start of the season with clear goals… Nevertheless, my health has to come first.”
Puff recently caused a shocking moment when she collapsed on the track during a race in the second-class IBU Cup in Obertilliach on December 7th and had to be taken to hospital. At that time there was still a lot of guesswork in the German camp. Now came the diagnosis: myocarditis
Puff was crowned European champion in the relay and individual races in Martell in 2025. As part of the World Cup, she achieved points in seven races, and at the 2025 World Championships in Lenzerheide, Puff also competed in the individual and impressed with 22nd place.
Dream of the Olympic Games probably buried
This winter the focus was of course on taking part in the Olympic Games, which was already a lofty goal after not being taken into account at the start of the World Cup. The health setback may have finally ended the dream.
However, the truth is that Puff’s chances of starting at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina were not the best. Especially on the cross-country ski trails, the gap to the world’s best was clearly too big recently. At 23 years old, the German probably still has plenty of development potential in this area and is still young enough for the 2030 Olympic Games.