The sporting world is mourning the loss of Laura Dahlmeier, the celebrated German biathlete who has died at 31 in a tragic climbing accident in Pakistan.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist was killed on Monday whilst ascending in the Karakoram Mountains.
Management representatives for the accomplished athlete confirmed her death today, revealing that she had been missing for two days before her body was located.
The accident occurred when she was struck by falling rocks at an altitude of approximately 18,700 feet whilst climbing with a rope partner.
The sporting world is mourning the loss of Laura Dahlmeier, the celebrated German biathlete who has died at 31 in a tragic climbing accident in Pakistan
|GETTY
Search teams discovered her body on Tuesday morning, though recovery efforts have proved impossible due to hazardous conditions on Laila Peak.
Rescue operations faced severe challenges, with military helicopters unable to reach the location where she fell due to what were described as "extremely difficult" conditions at that altitude.
The area had experienced particularly harsh weather for the previous week, including heavy rainfall, powerful winds and dense cloud cover.
Laura Dahlmeier established herself as a German biathlon legend during her sporting career | GETTYHer management team stated that the treacherous combination of ongoing rockfall and deteriorating weather on Laila Peak made body recovery unfeasible.
The former athlete, who was an accomplished mountaineer, had been exploring the northern Pakistan region since late June and had successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower before attempting Laila Peak.
Initial rescue efforts began immediately after the accident, but search teams could not locate her until the following morning.
Dahlmeier achieved her greatest sporting triumph at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where she claimed gold in both the Sprint and Pursuit disciplines.
She also secured a bronze medal in the Individual competition, establishing herself as one of the Games' standout performers.
The athlete ended her competitive career in May 2019, citing a loss of the enthusiasm necessary for elite sport.
Following retirement, she pursued various creative and media ventures, including co-writing a children's environmental book titled 'The Climate Gang: Laura Dahlmeier and friends working for nature' later that year.
She subsequently worked as an expert commentator for German broadcaster ZDF, providing analysis for Biathlon World Cup coverage.
Sporting organisations across Germany have expressed their grief at the news.
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Laura Dahlmeier won two gold medals back in 2018 | GETTYFC Schalke 04 described Dahlmeier as "a great athlete and a warm-hearted person", extending condolences to her loved ones and the biathlon community.
The German Olympic Federation shared an emotional farewell, stating: "With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Laura Dahlmeier. Her sudden death leaves us speechless. She was more than an Olympic champion she was a person with heart, conviction, and vision. Your story will live on, Laura."