“Hard to accept”
Heart affected: German biathlete shares shock diagnosis
Updated 12/20/2025 – 1:20 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Johanna Puff imagined winter differently. Instead of qualifying for the Olympic Games, she has to take a forced break.
The German biathlete Johanna Puff suffered from myocarditis. The 23-year-old will take a break from training and competitions for the time being. “I finally know what’s been going on for me over the last few weeks, but it’s hard to accept – especially before the season starts with clear goals,” Puff wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “However, my health must come first.”
The Rosenheim native collapsed at the IBU race in Obertilliach at the beginning of December. Biathlete David Zobel explained: “Johanna collapsed on a climb and had to be taken to the hospital. I don’t know if she even fainted.”
Several current and former pros responded to Puff’s post. Michael Rösch, who represented Germany until 2012 and for Belgium from 2014, reacted with an emoji that opened his mouth and wrote: “Get well soon.” DSV colleague Julia Tannheimer also wanted this and put a combined emoji of a heart and a plaster.
For Puff, the dream of the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (February 6th to 22nd) has shattered. However, your chances of taking part would have been slim anyway. She has not yet been part of the German World Cup squad around Franziska Preuß this winter. She wanted to fight back in the IBU Cup.
Last season, Puff was part of the German World Cup squad in Lenzerheide and competed there in the individual (22nd place). In the World Cup, a 26th place was her best placement.