German biathlon star Anna Weidel considered retirement

Germany’s biathlete Anna Weidel says she had considered an early retirement after several challenging years. Speaking at the Loop One Festival in Munich, she explained that repeated illnesses, numerous setbacks, and the mental toll of hostile messages linked to the 2022 Olympics had worn her down.

Weidel, who won gold at the Biathlon European Championships earlier this year, admitted: “If the Olympics weren’t coming up now, I would pretty certainly have already stopped. That’s why I’ve thrown everything into it again.” She added that recent performance diagnostics show she is on a good path ahead of the winter, although she cautioned that roller-ski form doesn’t always translate directly to snow. At the Munich event, she was the only German athlete to reach the final.

Looking toward Milan–Cortina 2026, Weidel says she feels physically and mentally ready. However, she declined to say whether her long‑term decision to continue will depend on this season or on how the Olympics unfold. Beyond sport, she mentioned she could consider focusing on studies, career options, or her personal life after the coming year.