Dorothea Wierer made a decision that delighted the Italians. He will continue his career until the Olympics in Italy.
A long-time member of the star guard of women’s biathlon Dorothea Wierer held a press conference on Wednesday, which was awaited even with apprehensive feelings in his home country of Italy.
Wierer has won four world championships in his career, including one in the relay and three in individual trips. He has a total of 12 medals from the World Championships and three from the Olympics.
Wierer won the overall World Cup competition twice in a row in the 2018–2020 seasons. Wierer has excelled especially with his accuracy and speed on the shooting bench.
However, last season went under the bench. For example, at the World Championships, the best result was 10th place. Suffering from illnesses, Wierer quit in the middle of the season.
After that, he thought for a long time whether to continue his career. Wierer works for Eurosport during the summer Olympics in Paris.
– I have received many job offers, but the continuation of my career depends on whether I am still motivated after my vacation or not, the 33-year-old Wierer previously told the Norwegian for Dagbladet.
Dagbladet was told by an Italian journalist Giorgi Capodagliotawho reported that Italian biathlon fans reacted to Wierer’s press conference with mixed emotions.
– The Italians are very excited, but I would describe it as more scared than excited, because they are afraid that he will stop. “Doro” deserves credit that the sport is so big in Italy. He has been a leading figure, and that is why it is difficult for the Italians to imagine the sport without Wierer.
At the press conference, the Italians then got the answer they were looking for. Wierer announced that he will continue his career until the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics held in his home country.
– It would have been a shame to end such a large part of my life in this way, that I had not been able to give one hundred percent of myself. I want to go on and compete in the Olympics in Italy.
– It was not an easy decision because I have to make a lot of sacrifices, but I have already planned my training.
for NRK Wierer opened up about the kind of rumors circulating on social media when he hadn’t made his decision.
– I try not to read too much social media, but sometimes it’s impossible. A lot of people have said that I’m pregnant or that I can’t perform at the same level anymore or that I’m only doing this for the money. Some have also said that I am doing this just to be on TV. I’m an athlete and I always do my best in what I do, Wierer answered the rumours.