German biathlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier has tragically died at the age of 31 in a climbing accident. Her death was confirmed by her team in a somber Instagram post on Monday, sending shockwaves through both the sports and outdoor communities.

Dahlmeier reportedly died after being struck by a falling rock while climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, sent out a distress signal, but rescue efforts were delayed due to severe weather and poor visibility. It wasn’t until the following day, Tuesday, that rescue teams managed to reach the site.

Born in 1993 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Laura Dahlmeier began skiing at a young age and quickly developed exceptional talent in biathlon — a sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Her drive and skill led her to make her World Cup debut in 2013.

Her breakthrough came in the 2016–17 season when she clinched the overall World Cup title. That same year, she had a historic run at the Biathlon World Championships, winning five gold medals and one silver — a performance that solidified her legacy in the sport.

At the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Dahlmeier made history again by becoming the first woman to win both the sprint and pursuit biathlon events at a single Games. She also earned a bronze in the 15km individual event, bringing her Olympic medal count to three.

In 2019, she retired from professional biathlon at just 25, citing a waning passion for competition. Post-retirement, she remained closely connected to the outdoors, becoming a mountain guide, writing children’s books, participating in mountain running, and contributing to rescue efforts in Bavaria. Her adventurous spirit and legacy will be remembered far beyond her athletic accomplishments.