Translate to English Franziska Preuß without a medal, but with a smile

Antholz. The snow was already thick on her hat, but Franziska Preuß patiently gave answers to all the journalists in the mixed zone of the Olympic biathlon stadium in Antholz. The last compulsory task after the final race of her great career. She smiled and seemed really relieved – even if she hadn’t achieved her last big goal of an individual Olympic medal by finishing 28th in the mass start in the last attempt.

“I didn’t kill anyone”

“The last few days have been hard. I didn’t kill anyone, it’s just sport. That was psychological terror,” Preuss burst out. Germany’s 2025 athlete of the year was attacked with hate messages during the Olympic days because she missed out on several possible medals with fluttering nerves at the shooting range. “There was so much bullshit said on social media. That’s not worth a medal, I’d rather be a good person. That counts much more,” said the 31-year-old: “I’m glad it’s just over. Cut!”

Her new life began after crossing the finish line with a lap of honor in front of thousands of fans in the huge grandstand in Antholz. Together with her Italian friend Dorothea Wierer, who also ended her sporting career that day in the snow. Preuß was celebrated frenetically – and then her teammates, friends and family were waiting behind the finish line, contrary to all Olympic protocol. With boldly painted hearts on posters. They placed a golden crown on Prussia’s head and welcomed her to her new freedom with many hugs.

Rollercoaster ride in Preuß’ career

“Franzi had a great career – even if there wasn’t the happy ending that all of Biathlon Germany and the rest of the biathlon world would have wanted for her. She was a role model for everyone,” explained sports director Felix Bitterling. What will be remembered most is the past winter, in which she made history with the individual world championship title, overall World Cup victory and being crowned Germany’s athlete of the year.

It was the reward for many years of setbacks, with countless injuries and illnesses. Last December, Preuß also suffered from a double infection with corona and flu, which robbed her of strength on the way to her fourth and final Winter Games. That was certainly one of the reasons why she announced the end of her career before the Olympics. She had had enough of the roller coaster ride. “I just don’t feel 100 percent passionate about the sport of biathlon anymore. I wrote myself a list of what I will miss and what I won’t. The latter was clearly in the majority,” she said as justification.

The deprivation – you can also describe it as self-imposed psychological terror – had simply become too much for her: except for training, Preuß consistently had to wear a corona face mask for infection protection reasons. During the winter she spent a lot of time isolated from her partner, the former top German biathlete Simon Schempp. And Christmas with the family regularly took place outdoors. “The family is certainly happy that we can finally celebrate indoors. And I no longer have to worry about getting sick when I meet friends,” said the 31-year-old.

This is what Franziska Preuß plans to do after her career ends

As far as his professional future is concerned, Preuß wants to “look at different things” and take the opportunity to “try everything out.” Bitterling talked to his team leader about the topic for a long time on the long drive home after the Olympic dress rehearsal in the Czech Republic. “Franzi knows that all doors are open to her at the German Ski Association. Her partner Simon is already at the DSV anyway,” says Bitterling: “But her plans are different for now, if I understand them correctly. This is towards training, which she would like to do. Personally, I think it’s a great approach. She doesn’t want to rely on her great name and her fame to get a job.”

Maybe there will be a new addition to the Preuß/Schempp family. And if Franziska Preuß feels longing for Olympic gold, she can watch it at home: Schempp subsequently received the plaque in Antholz for the Olympic victory of the German relay team at the 2014 Winter Games.