It is becoming a rule that an emotional farewell will also take place during the World Cup races in the Czech city of Novi Mesto in Moravia. Last year, the Norwegian Bøe brothers waved to the fans in the stands, this time the Italian Dorothea Wiererová said goodbye to them.
26.01.2026 16:56
Photo: ČTK / Svoboda Jaroslav
Dorothea Wiererová completed her last World Cup race.
Two large crystal globes, four gold medals from the world championships, three Olympic medals. The 35-year-old Wierer’s record in biathlon is impressive.
However, she gained fans not only on cross-country skis and with a rifle in her hand. Many admired her appearance and nice demeanor and often called her Miss Biathlon.
Thoughts of ending her career have occupied her for several years, but there is no better place to say goodbye to biathlon than the Olympic city of Anterselva in her native country.
She will write the last chapter of her sports career at the place where she won two individual gold medals at the World Championships six years ago.
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She has already said goodbye to the World Cup. Other races after the Olympic Games are no longer part of her plans.
After Sunday’s announcement of the best in the mass start, the organizers therefore prepared a farewell not only for Nový Mesto na Morava, where thirteen years ago she helped the relay team win the first Italian medal in women’s biathlon.
The organizers took care. While Andrea Bocelli’s famous song Co te partiró (I’ll leave with you) filled the Vysočina Arena, a montage of exceptional moments from the Italian’s career was projected on the screen. Wiererová watched it all with a wide smile and emotion.
“It’s a bit emotional for me. I have a lot of memories of New Town that go back to 2011. It’s great how you’re all here cheering,” she said into the microphone to applause from the audience.
She then posed on stage with the Novi Mesto mascots and the entire Italian team and waved once more to the fans, some of whom were holding green, white and red banners with the Italian star’s name.
The president of the Czech union, Jiří Hamza, compared Wiererová to the former domestic superstar Gábina Soukalova.
“They are quite similar, except that Gabča was even more ‘crazy’,” he smiled. “She has a huge personality and sport, especially women’s sport, needs people like Dorothea or Gabča. But then someone else will appear,” believes Hamza.
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Czech biathlon representative Michal Krčmář also highlighted her non-sports qualities. Wiererová always cared about her appearance and demeanor. More than 600,000 people follow her on Instagram.
“She was dominant with her performance, she is such a queen of our sport. Of course, she is attractive to men, but she is also likable.
Like Béčka (the Bøe brothers), he is a personality that will be difficult to replace in biathlon,” predicts Krčmář.
February will be the last chance for fans to see Wierer compete. After seventeen years among the adult elite, he finally says goodbye to his beloved sport.
“Not everyone gets the chance to say goodbye on home soil. It’s going to be special, so I want to enjoy it,” he says ahead of February’s Winter Olympics.
