The five-time biathlon world champion Sturla Holm Laegreid has been excluded from the mass start at the World Cup in Lenzerheide.
As the world association IBU announced, the 26-year-old had violated safety regulations. Accordingly, a shot was accidentally fired during dry training in the team’s team accommodation in Switzerland.
Laegreid apologizes
Nevertheless, the Biathlon Integrity Unit, together with the Swiss authorities, initiated an investigation and further measures could follow. “I deeply regret this incident and apologize to the entire biathlon family, my teammates and the hotel owner for what happened. This is a brutal reminder for me and for all biathlon athletes how important safety routines really are”said Laegreid.
The Norwegian team itself reported the incident to the world association, the IBU said. Laegreid came third in the pursuit on Saturday in the Scandinavians’ triple victory. David Zobel from Partenkirchen will take his place in the mass start as the sixth German athlete.