He didn’t want any great Halli-Galli, he preferred to walk quietly, no disguises, no frills, but another competition at the highest level, Lesser had emphasized again and again. “I wasn’t able to enjoy it that much, but I’m overjoyed with fourth place. There’s not really room for emotions right now, rather later in a one-to-one conversation. No tears are coming yet, but my nose is getting heavier.”
“The little one kicks the big one’s ass, I’ve always stood by that”
Then the sparkling wine sprayed from all corners of the finish corridor, arms fell around him, everyone wanted to give that special athlete a last squeeze at the end. Even an otherwise controlled Lesser got a little teary-eyed: “A hug always means a special connection. I’ve been on the road with many athletes for a really long time. To feel this respectful interaction with each other is something really great.”
“Thank you very much and good luck”, was written on the huge black banner with which the German team wrapped their future biathlon pensioner. Erik Lesser had fought again to the finish line without pinning up. An athlete who has always remained true to himself: “The little one kicks the big one’s ass with a lot of passion, I’ve always stood by that, that’s why I’m an Aue fan too.”
The end of a golden generation
After Arnd Peiffer and Simon Schempp last season, Erik Lesser is the last of the “old” generation, but the 33-year-old sees his departure as a minor loss: “I’m not leaving any gaps in the overall World Cup, I’m only the third German. The only gap I’m leaving is the starting position in the relay and maybe a little experience in the team.”
He wants to go on vacation with his family and start his second career as a coach in the fall. Even if he will miss the team, he will definitely not miss two things: “Not to give the first thought, when I get somewhere, if I’ve already registered for doping control and if the weather is bad, look out the window and just decide to stay inside.”
And then Erik Lesser left the stadium, with his partner and their daughter, without much fuss, rather quietly, as suits him, under the loud hustle and bustle of his supporters.