Olympic Biathlete Laura Dahlmeier Dies on Laila Peak

German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, 31, died after being struck by falling rocks while climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range at around 5,700 meters on Monday. Rescue efforts were hampered by dangerous terrain, poor weather, and the remote location, forcing suspension of the mission after no signs of life were found. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva Krauss, survived and alerted authorities. Dahlmeier, who retired from biathlon in 2019, became a commentator and certified mountain guide following a career that included two Olympic golds and seven world championship titles. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the International Biathlon Union have both paid tribute to her. The accident highlights the risks faced by mountaineers in extreme environments.