Laura Dahlmeier: Olympic Champion dies in mountaineering accident

Laura Dahlmeier, Germany’s double Olympic biathlon champion, has died in a tragic mountaineering accident while scaling Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. The 31-year-old was struck by a rockfall at an altitude of around 5,700 meters, cutting short the life of one of Germany’s most celebrated winter athletes turned mountaineer.

Olympic Hero and Biathlon Great

Dahlmeier was a legend in the biathlon world. She won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and secured seven world championship titles during her competitive career. Her disciplined approach and tactical skill led her to win the overall Biathlon World Cup title in the 2016–17 season.

Life Beyond Biathlon: From Tracks to Peaks

Retiring at the peak of her career in 2019 at just 25, Dahlmeier pursued mountaineering full-time. She became a certified mountain and ski guide and volunteered with alpine rescue services in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, her hometown in Bavaria. Her climbing resume included major alpine routes and, most recently, the Great Trango Tower in Pakistan.

Deadly Rockfall on Laila Peak

On July 28, 2025, during a two-woman expedition on the 6,069-meter Laila Peak, Dahlmeier was hit by a sudden rockfall while climbing with fellow mountaineer Marina Eva Krauss. An SOS was issued immediately, but rescue helicopters could not land due to poor weather and treacherous terrain. Aerial surveillance confirmed fatal injuries.

Rescue Attempts Thwarted by Harsh Conditions

Despite the swift alert, ground teams and helicopters were delayed by weather and high-altitude risks. Krauss survived the incident and was later rescued. Recovery efforts were eventually called off, in line with Dahlmeier’s own written wishes that no one should endanger their life to retrieve hers.

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Tributes from the Sporting World

The International Olympic Committee praised her as “an icon of winter sports.” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder both issued statements mourning her death. The German Olympic Sports Confederation highlighted her courage, excellence, and humility both on and off the field.

Remembering Laura Dahlmeier

Dahlmeier’s death is a deep loss to both the sporting and mountaineering communities. Her journey from Olympic podiums to treacherous peaks reflects her spirit of adventure, purpose, and resilience. Though her life ended in the mountains she loved, her story will continue to inspire generations of athletes and adventurers alike.