Mystery stomach illness strikes Germany's Olympic biathlon stars before key races

Stomach problems have disrupted Germany's biathlon teams login at the 2026 Winter Olympics in South Tyrol. Several athletes, including medal hopeful Franziska Preuß, have fallen ill, though the exact cause remains unknown. Despite the setbacks, some competitors like Preuß are still aiming for Sunday's pursuit event.

Janina Hettich-Walz withdrew from Saturday's sprint after experiencing stomach symptoms. Vanessa Voigt also competed while feeling unwell. Preuß, however, finished seventh in the sprint and reported no lingering issues, intending to race again soon.

The teams medical staff have downplayed the severity of the illness. Yet the source of the trouble is still unclear, as similar symptoms affected a Czech athlete and a German team official. Preuß had previously shared a room with teammate Anna Weidel before moving to a single room as a precaution.

All German biathletes stay in the same lodging, which has separate dining spaces but a shared kitchen. This setup has raised questions about whether contaminated food might be responsible. So far, no athletes from other nations have reported similar gastrointestinal problems.

Preuß remains isolated as a precaution, though no further preventive steps have been announced. The teams focus now shifts to Sunday's pursuit, where Preuß is still expected to compete. Medical staff continue monitoring the situation closely.