Lukas Hofer continues his career in biathlon. After a long period of suffering, the Italian is looking forward again and is not even ruling out taking part in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
When the new biathlon season begins next weekend in Östersund, Lukas Hofer will also be at the start again. However, this is not a given, as the 34-year-old was seriously considering ending his career.
The reason for this was a real misery of injuries. In the summer of 2022 he first suffered a knee injury, followed by inflammation of the tendons in his shin, which proved to be extremely persistent.
“I had no idea that you could get so many injuries, especially after going through COVID-19. It was like a wave that starts and then the next one comes,” said Hofer in an interview with the international biathlon Association IBU back.
He approached the start of the relay at the World Championships in Oberhof “as if it could be my last.” “I was at a point where I didn’t know if I could improve and solve everything,” Hofer revealed.
Biathlon: Lukas is aiming for the start of the Olympics
“After the knee operations and the correction of the other problems, it was said: We start from scratch and try to climb back up step by step,” said the Italian. He was particularly supported by the Swedish national coach Johannes Lukas.
Hofer now hopes to finally be free of symptoms again. The biathlete has his long-term goal in mind: the 2026 Winter Olympics in his own country.
“Not many athletes can do the World Cup and the Olympics at home. If I’m able to achieve the results, then I can say, two more years and then the Olympics will be there. But we’ll see…”, should Hofer does not commit himself.