Dorothea Wierer is one of the best-known names in the World Cup. Biathlon legend Ole Einar Bjørndalen hopes to see the four-time world champion on the big winter sports stage for longer.
“Sixteen years is a long time, but it is still young,” Ole Einar Bjørndalen told Fondo Italia, referring to Dorothea Wierer’s World Cup debut in 2009.
He hopes “that she can continue for many more years, she is a fantastic woman and a top athlete with so much charisma. I really hope that she is motivated for the coming year and I hope that she improves her condition by the World Cup can,” said the Norwegian biathlon legend. The Italian team needs Wierer, Bjørndalen made it clear.
Wierer had to end the last biathlon season early after the World Championships in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. The 34-year-old had previously repeatedly been set back by illnesses.
Italy’s biathlon sports director satisfied with Dorothea Wierer
Wierer then decided to continue her career. The South Tyrolean is currently in 14th place in the overall biathlon World Cup.
“There were some question marks after last season. But Doro is presenting herself well on the skis. She has shown that she is still her old self and can compete for podiums. She just hasn’t finished a competition optimally yet. But the form “It’s true,” Italy’s sports director Klaus Höllrigl said at the beginning of the year to “sportnews.bz” about Wierer’s performance so far this winter.
Between February 12th and 23rd, the highlight of the season will take place in Lenzerheide with the World Championships. Wierer still has a month to get back to top form in time for the biathlon festival in Switzerland.