Even after the end of his career, the former German biathlon ace Erik Lesser can’t give up his sport and has therefore now been hired to work with the up-and-coming stars at the German Ski Association. The 34-year-old has been given a special position at DSV and speaks of a “new perspective”.
After more than a decade as an active biathlete, Erik Lesser gave up his skis and rifle in March 2022 to have more time for his family with his wife and two daughters. But the Sochi Olympic silver medalist is by no means restless.
Because Lesser wants to pass on his expertise from more than twelve years as a professional and around ten years in the World Cup to future generations and has therefore now been employed as a shooting coach at the biathlon base in Oberhof.
Lesser wrote on Instagram on Wednesday: “From athlete to coach in 365 days.” He also shared a video of himself and two athletes from Oberhof practicing at the shooting range for the coming season.
Biathlon: Lesser celebrates first completed day at work
“A new perspective,” he wrote, concluding with: “First day’s work done.”
The corresponding entry received thousands of likes, including from the recently retired biathlon queen Denise Hermann-Wick. Lesser was also able to look forward to numerous congratulations on his new job.
At the beginning of the year, Lesser spoke to “Welt” about his new life after leaving competitive sports. “I’m actually fine with it, but it’s scary how quickly you get used to it,” he said at the time. After the end of his career, he feels no melancholy and is happy “to be rid of the strictly structured daily routine of a professional athlete”. Now Lesser – at least partially – is getting back into the rhythm.
Most recently, Lesser worked as an expert at the home World Cup and answered questions in TV interviews. At the same time, the 34-year-old is currently working on his A trainer license in order to be a certified trainer in the future.
Lesser already knows where he would like to work: Japan. “A very exciting country with friendly people. Despite the effort they put in and the great technology, they follow behind. I would like to find out why that is,” he recently explained in the “Thuringian State Newspaper”.