German biathlon star at the Olympics
After further problems: Preuß speaks up
February 19, 2026 – 5:30 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Franziska Preuß has had problems at the shooting range since the games began. The relay on Wednesday came to a tragic low point. Now Preuss spoke up.
Benjamin Zurmühl reports on the Olympic Games
One day after the disappointment in the women’s relay, biathlete Franziska Preuß spoke out. In a statement for the German Ski Association (DSV for short), Preuß said: “Yesterday wasn’t a nice day, of course. It’s always particularly hard, especially in a relay team. I feel incredibly sorry for the other three girls and also for the whole team. So the mood wasn’t particularly good, of course, and you just need a little time to digest it.”
Preuß had a total of four missed shots during the relay and even had to go into the penalty loop. In the end, the German women’s relay team finished fourth at the Olympic Games. A setback for the ambitious quartet.
Preuß’ problems not only extend through the Olympic Games, but also through the World Cup winter so far. “Every time you try something new, you build yourself up again, and yet it’s often like a blackout as soon as I get on the mat. That’s of course not nice and hurts,” explained Preuß.
Biathlon sports director Felix Bitterling highlighted on Wednesday how well the biathlete dealt with her own weaknesses. “Franzi has often had a similar situation in the last few days, where she didn’t deliver what she wanted to deliver,” said Bitterling. “She dug herself out of a small hole, reflected and analyzed very well and prepared very professionally for the next competition.”
The next competition is on Saturday. Preuß is there in the mass start. It will be her last race at the Olympics. The 2024/25 overall World Cup winner said on Thursday: “I’m trying to clear my head again today and tomorrow, which isn’t that easy here because there are few opportunities to distract myself. But I’m trying everything so that I’m at the start line again on Saturday with a smile and just feel the joy of biathlon again.”