The former biathlon world champion Franziska Hildebrand becomes a mother and therefore ends her sports career. The 35-year-old actually wanted to start at the home World Championships in Oberhof next February.
“I had a dream, I had a goal and I had a plan on the way to Oberhof … and then life intervened,” announced the ski hunter on social networks. “Now I’m looking forward to the new adventures that await me as a mother next year.”
At the beginning of 2023 it will be ready. She was “happy that this is the reason why my time in competitive sports is ending,” she said in a statement from the association. “I was able to experience beautiful and exciting years in biathlon, I’m grateful for all the experiences over so many years,” she said.
Relay World Champion 2015 and 2017
Franziska Hildebrand was an integral part of the German national biathlon team for over 15 years. At the World Championships in Kontiolahti 2015 and Hochfilzen 2017 she was world champion with the relay. Twice she was the fifth best German ski hunter in the overall World Cup.
“First of all we are happy for Franzi – the reason for her career end is the best there is,” explained Felix Bitterling as Sports Director Biathlon and described Hildebrand as a “role model for many young athletes”. You have proven “what you can achieve with constant and goal-oriented work”.