Biathlete Janina Hettich-Walz is pregnant and will miss the entire season

Janina Hettich-Walz, a prominent figure in biathlon, recorded her best performance last winter, achieving two medals at the Biathlon World Championships—a bronze in the relay and a silver in the individual distance event. She also finished tenth in the overall World Cup standings. However, the 28-year-old has announced that she will not participate in any World Cup events this winter due to her pregnancy.

In a statement to chiemgau24.de, Hettich-Walz expressed her joy about starting a family, saying, "I've always wanted to start a family, and I'm looking forward to it." Despite this interruption in her competitive career, she is already thinking about her return, focusing on recovery and regaining her competitive edge. "I achieved many athletic goals last winter and want to return to that level. The Olympics are a significant part of these ambitions, and I would love to get there," she reiterated.

Hettich-Walz’s news arrives as a major shift in the biathlon world, highlighting the balance athletes often have to navigate between personal life and professional commitments, especially in a demanding sport like biathlon.