Colombo has to end a career – pizza invitation from Preuss

German star reacts with pizza invitation

Nerve disease forces biathlete to end the career

Caroline Colombo makes her neuropathy difficult. Therefore, the biathlete must now end her career. She receives an invitation from a German star.

Biathlete Caroline Colombo has announced the end of her career with an emotional statement. The 28-year-old wrote on Instagram that the moment had come “to close a valuable chapter in my life”. Health problems would have led to this decision.

Nevertheless, she won something positive to her end of career. “When I think back to my 58 World Cup starts, I feel enormous gratitude,” continued Colombo. “What touches me the most are not just the races or medals, but the unforgettable encounters. Every exchanged smile, every preserved encouragement and every shared moment have made me what I am today.” She is proud of her career and the relationships that she had linked over the years.

In an associated video, Colombo then went into more detail about her health problems. “It is true that I had expected a different end than this,” said the French woman. She would have liked to make her decision under completely different circumstances. “However, my health no longer allows me to maintain these sporting dreams,” said Colombo.

The disease that makes her is a neuropathy. This is the generic term for diseases of the peripheral nerves. “For over a year, neuropathy has gave my passion and dreams of little Caroline for over a year,” said the athlete. This is not to be seen for the eye, but unbearable in everyday life and at night just as relentless.

Colombo gave an insight into her past few months. “Since April I have held out with a tortured smile, just spurred on my perseverance and discipline – but without joy,” she said. Now a dual path opens for her. You can now do your master’s degree and also have many projects in your head. “But primarily I plan to go on a long journey and take time to refuel and regenerate. Then we will see what the future is bringing.”

Colombo celebrated her debut in the Biathlon World Cup in 2019. Since then it has been used irregularly by 2023. She probably achieved her greatest success at the European Championships 2021 in Duszniki-Zdrój (Poland). Together with Émilien Claude, she won the silver medal in the single mixed season.

Meanwhile, the biathlon world reacted emotionally to the end of the Colombo career. Germany’s star biathlete Franziska Preuß wrote: “Caro, wish you a wonderful time.” Her former competitor is always warmly “invited to another pizza evening in Ruhpolding,” said the leading world.

Prussian competitor Lou JeanMonnot commented: “Unique style, unique valves, unique laugh.” The message also provided her with three red hearts. The Belgian biathlete Maye Cloetens, on the other hand, wrote: “We will miss your determination.”