German biathlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier has died at age 31 in a climbing accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan. According to reports, she was struck by falling rock. Her partner, Marina Eva, sent a distress signal, but “rescue efforts were delayed due to severe weather and poor visibility.” Teams reached the site the next day.

Born in 1993 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Dahlmeier began skiing early and made her World Cup debut in 2013. Her breakout came in the 2016–17 season, when she won the overall World Cup title and took five golds and one silver at the Biathlon World Championships — a historic feat.

At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, she became the first woman to win both the sprint and pursuit events in a single Games. She also claimed bronze in the 15km event.

Dahlmeier retired in 2019 at just 25, saying she had “lost the joy in competitive sport.” After retiring, she stayed active as a mountain guide, writer, and rescue volunteer.

Her team called her death a “tremendous loss,” and the sporting world mourns an athlete remembered not just for her medals but her deep love for nature and adventure.