Zhangjiakou (dpa) – Former world champion Erik Lesser has at least won a small victory at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
Because the Thuringian was not nominated for the biathletes’ sprint by national coach Mark Kirchner, the 33-year-old took part in the unofficial mass start of the reservists – and won it in Zhangjiakou. “It’s not a medal, but at least it’s something,” Lesser wrote for a photo on Instagram. As the winner of the competition, he was given a gold pin.
Such training races are not uncommon at major events for biathletes in order to keep the excitement high for the athletes who do not play as often or not at all. David Zobel (25) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen also took part in the competition.
Lesser had only finished 67th in the individual over 20 kilometers with five shooting errors and could not recommend himself for the sprint over ten kilometers in China. However, the Oberhofer could still be in the German men’s relay in the coming week. Zobel’s start with the team is considered unlikely.