Biathlon National Coach Resigns Effective Immediately

After the World Championships in Lenzerheide, German biathlon head coach Uros Velepec asked the German Ski Association to relieve him of his duties immediately. According to a press release from the association, after a series of constructive discussions, both parties agreed to use the remaining three World Cup weeks to initiate preliminary changes for the upcoming Olympic season. Tobias Reiter is expected to take over the role as his successor.

Velepec emphasized that his decision was not a reaction to a single disappointing performance at the championships. He noted, “This is not a spontaneous decision and is only partly related to our performance at the WM.” Criticizing the team’s overall performance, he remarked that the athletes were not achieving the desired standard, both in shooting and skiing. Velepec, who introduced the concept of risk shooting to the team, added that while modern biathletes are encouraged to shoot quickly and take risks, the German men have experienced frequent shooting errors, as seen in previous competitions like the WM-Generalprobe in Antholz and the season opener in Kontiolahti.

Felix Bitterling, the Biathlon Sports Director, acknowledged Velepec’s past success and described him as a coach who could inspire his athletes. Bitterling commented that while the timing of this decision is unusual, Velepec’s long discussions about his motives convinced the leadership to accept his request. The next few weeks are considered crucial for the team’s dynamic, paving the way for a fresh start under the new leadership as the Olympic season of 2026 approaches.

Velepec, a former biathlete who represented his country at the 1992 and 1994 Olympic Games, had already been serving as the national coach since 2023. His resignation marks a significant turning point for the German biathlon team as they prepare for future international challenges.