Explosive statements
Preuß does not rule out ending his biathlon career after the Olympics
Franziska Preuß is fully focused on the Winter Olympics in Italy. The biathlon world champion may then retire.
Biathlon world champion Franziska Preuß does not rule out ending her career immediately after the Winter Olympics in February. “Maybe it was my last World Cup race,” said the 31-year-old overall World Cup winner in a “Sportschau” interview after the competitions in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. “That’s why I was glad I was here again.” At the races she finished third in the shortened individual and 13th in the mass start.
When asked about the statements of the best German ski hunter, sports director Felix Bitterling from the German Ski Association reacted calmly. “You have to see it in context. Franzi had a competition that she is not happy with, that she certainly imagined differently,” he said after the mass start. “You have to look at the situation: Franzi has clearly made the Olympics her last career goal in order to win an individual medal there.”
Sports director urges calm
In this regard, Preuß is on the right track due to the performances shown at the Olympic dress rehearsal, said Bitterling. “Everyone should be aware that Franzi is no longer fighting to finish tenth in the overall World Cup. But now let’s see how things go in Antholz,” said the official, who himself will be leaving the DSV after this season. “I think that also depends on what the mood is in Antholz and after Antholz. I would now urge calm.”
Preuß has so far won a bronze medal in the relay at the Olympic Games. The biathlon competitions begin in Italy on February 8th. After the Winter Games, the biathletes actually have three World Cups in Finland, Estonia and Norway on the program until the end of the season at the end of March.
dpa
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