After bitter winter games so far Franziska Preuss dares Biathlon World Record Champion Johannes Thingnes Bø the Germans in the last Olympic race of their careers. “I believe in a medal for Franzi in the mass startI really do,” said the 32-year-old in an interview with the TV channel Sport1. And what would the Norwegian give the Bavarian for the last major competition of her career on Saturday (2:15 p.m.)? “I would just wish Franzi good luck and say: Relax, have fun“, he said five-time Olympic champion.
Preuss has to be one Missed drama in the women’s relay. While in the lead, she had a penalty on Wednesday and cost the team a possible medal. They failed again Overall World Cup winner from the previous season nerves at the crucial moment. Something similar happened through bitter mistakes in the last standing shooting in the Olympic individual and the pursuit. Deeply disappointed and with tears in her eyes, the 31-year-old left the arena after the relay without saying a word. It was only enough for fourth place.
In nine Olympic races so far Only one bronze medal was enough in the mixed relay for Germany’s biathletes in South Tyrol. “I am very disappointed in the Germans. Both the women and the men were not good enough,” said the former dominator Bø, who ended his career after last season: “Norway and France now have a big lead over the other nations.”
Just a bronze medal “sad”said Bø, “because it is a important country for the sport of biathlon is. Biathlon is most popular there. It’s important for us to have Germany on the podium.” Preuß, who wants to retire at the end of the season, has been close several times, but has not yet made it onto the podium in the individual races as she had dreamed of.
“That’s also why we love biathlon, but if it doesn’t end well for you in the end, then it’s one of the worst sports,” said Bø: “They have to make some kind of change in Germany to come back because we know they have the opportunity to do that.” (dpa)
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