Biathlon: The Key to Ending an Endless Drama?

The Key to Ending the Drama?

Franziska Preuß, who has been continuously troubled by illnesses, approaches the biathlon winter with newfound confidence. A surgical procedure has brought about significant improvement in her condition.

Franziska Preuß, ever the resilient biathlete, is heading into the international winter calendar buoyed by the outcome of her recent surgery. Over the years, Preuß faced numerous setbacks due to health issues, which hindered her ability to compete. Having missed the previous seasons due to ongoing complications, the 30-year-old is hopeful that her recent surgery will yield positive results.

Due to persistent problems, Preuß was unable to compete in the last races at the beginning of 2024, and her previous season's early conclusion had left her contemplating retirement. However, the surgery aimed at her sinus problems is expected to bring lasting relief, and she expresses optimism regarding her recovery. "It was not the most pleasant operation, but I’m glad I chose to do it because I’ve already noticed a significant improvement," the former team world champion shared with Abendzeitung. "I can already feel in training that I’m more resilient now."

As she reflects on her oft-interrupted career, Preuß, a world champion in the relay and a mass start World Cup winner back in 2015, recognizes that illness has frequently prevented her from reaching her full potential. In 2023, she tragically missed the home World Championships in Oberhof. Despite a strong comeback last winter, she again faced health challenges at the World Championships in Nove Mesto, where a sinus infection cost her the chance to compete in the relay, in which her team won bronze. Subsequently, she was unable to perform at her best for the remainder of the event and ended the competition without a medal.

With her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Preuß views this as a pivotal chapter in her career, possibly culminating in her retirement. "If everything is physically in line and I’m satisfied with my performance, I can definitely see that happening," she concluded, expressing a hopeful outlook for the next stage in her biathlon journey.

Article by Sport-Informations-Dienst (SID)