Germany’s model biathlete Franziska Preuß is taking part in the Olympics for the fourth time; fourth place over 15 kilometers eight years ago is her best individual placement to date. This time there are a maximum of six chances for medals for the 31-year-old, who has never been on the podium in an individual race at the Winter Games. She wants to repair this gap in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Bronze with the 2022 relay in Beijing is Franziska Preuß’ biggest Olympic success to date. “I have my own score to settle with the Olympic Games,” the German ski hunter made it clear.
However, it is not yet known whether Preuß will be at the start of the German mixed relay on Sunday (2:05 p.m.) in South Tyrol. She goes hunting for precious metal one last time in Antholz before ending her career after the season.
But even gold wouldn’t be worth as much to Preuß as her triumph in the overall World Cup almost a year ago. “For me it’s unattainable. I think others will see it differently, but for me it’s like that,” emphasized the German.
Preuß hopes to finally be able to compete in the upcoming competitions without any symptoms. In the past, the 31-year-old had repeatedly missed the highlights of the season due to injury or illness.
This is also why Germany’s female athlete of the year says about life as a biathlete with disarming honesty: “It can be a really cool sport, but sometimes it can also be a real asshole.”
Preuß “lacks conviction” in group training
While the other German ski hunters mostly trained together for the Olympics, Preuß always went her own way. In the past, she had often become ill after high-altitude training camps.
“I lack a bit of conviction,” said Preuß about the group training. Going it alone was never a problem for the German Ski Association anyway. The hopeful received the freedom she wanted – and repaid the trust with top performance.
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