At the “Sportsman of the Year” gala
Dahlmeier commemoration moves biathlon legend Neuner to tears
12/21/2025 – 9:59 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The late Laura Dahlmeier is remembered at the “Sportsman of the Year” gala. There are emotional moments.
It was an evening intended to honor the best athletes of the year, but the most emotional moment belonged to a former athlete: Laura Dahlmeier. At the gala in Baden-Baden, the biathlon Olympic champion who died in a mountaineering accident in July was remembered. A recording showing and honoring the highlights of her career and her love for mountaineering was followed by a live performance by musician Gregor Meyle.
He sang his song “Proud of Us”. It says, among other things, “We have learned so much from you to take life as it comes until only the good remains.” He continues to sing: “But you left too soon, no matter how you prepare for it. Far too early. The violins accompanied you to the end. We will never forget you. I know that we will see each other again and I also know that you would be proud of us.”
The emotional performance also touched some of those present at the gala. Among them was biathlon legend Magdalena Neuner, who knew Dahlmeier well. While the entire room rose to a standing ovation for Laura Dahlmeier, the camera captured Neuner wiping tears from her eyes. Moderator Lena Kesting was also visibly struggling with tears. She had previously paid tribute to Dahlmeier with a few words. After her career, the ex-biathlete worked, among other things, as a TV expert for ZDF.
Dahlmeier was hit by falling rocks while mountaineering at Layla Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains in July. Rescue attempts repeatedly had to be aborted due to poor weather conditions. On July 28, Dahlmeier was declared dead.