Austrian biathlete Anna Gandler, one of the nation's rising stars in the sport, has been forced to withdraw from the 2025 Winter Olympic Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland due to illness. The 23-year-old, who had trained intensively all year with the World Championships as her primary goal, was hospitalized this week after developing a high fever and flu-like symptoms.
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Incredibly disappointed – an entire year training for this highlight and now a very high fever, hospital, and the end of the World Championships dream, Gandler posted on her Instagram story, accompanied by a photo showing a clinical thermometer reading of 38.8°C (101.8°F). The news was met with an outpouring of support from fans, fellow athletes, and her Austrian teammates, who expresse both sympathy and admiration for Gandler's strong performances in the lead-up to her withdrawal. She had already competed in the mixed relay and the women's sprint before falling ill and missing Sunday's pursuit event. Her absence will leave a gap in Austria's women's lineup, as she will be replace by teammate Lea Rothschopf.
A Rising Star in Austrian Winter Olympic Biathlon
Anna Gandler is widely regard as one of the most promising young talents in Austrian biathlon. Coming from a family deeply root in winter sports—her father, Markus Gandler, is a former Olympic silver medalist in Winter Olympic cross-country skiing—Anna made her own name by excelling in biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Her ability to handle both the physical and mental demands of biathlon has been steadily gaining attention on the international stage.
Gandler's performances throughout the 2024–2025 season had positioned her as a potential breakout star in Lenzerheide. A string of top-20 finishes on the IBU World Cup circuit, coupled with impressive shooting accuracy and skiing speed, had boosted her confidence and solidified her place in Austria's top squad. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Voldiya Galmace-Paulin Steady Ascent Toward World Cup and Olympic Biathlon
She has all the tools—speed, composure, and the right mindset, said Austria's head coach earlier this season. Anna has been maturing rapidly, and we were all excited to see what she could do at the World Championships. Unfortunately, illness had other plans.
A Harsh Reality for Athletes
Injuries and illnesses are an unavoidable reality in elite sports, especially during the long, grueling Winter Olympic biathlon season, which spans from November through March. Athletes are constantly managing their health while enduring travel, altitude changes, and extreme weather conditions. Add to that the stress of competition and the razor-thin margin for error in biathlon, and it's clear that physical vulnerability is always just around the corner.
For Gandler, the timing couldn't have been worse. Her fever came just as she was peaking physically, having timed her training cycle around this major event. While she made an effort to compete in the opening races, her condition worsened quickly, leading to her withdrawal and hospitalization. It's devastating, of course, said a team spokesperson. But health comes first. We're proud of how Anna handled this with professionalism and heart.
Olympic Biathlon: Eyes on Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
While Gandler's World Championships dreams are over for now, her long-term trajectory remains promising—particularly with the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 on the horizon. The next Olympic cycle is now less than a year away, and many athletes, including Gandler, have been quietly building toward that milestone.
Gandler has already represented Austria at the 2022 Winter Olympic in Beijing, where she gained valuable experience despite modest results. Her performances since then have shown significant improvement, particularly in shooting consistency and ski speed—two critical components for Olympic success.
Anna is absolutely part of our Olympic plan, Austria's biathlon federation confirmed. She's still young, and she's shown that she can deliver at the highest level. This is just a setback—not the end. the next few months will be crucial for Gandler's recovery and return to form. With careful health management, off-season training, and a strong support team, she's expect to be fully fit for the next World Cup season and the Olympic qualification events that follow.
A Supportive Winter Olympic Biathlon Community
One of the defining characteristics of the Winter Olympic biathlon world is its tight-knit, supportive community. Gandler's announcement triggered an immediate wave of encouragement from athletes across the globe. Italian biathlete Dorothea Wierer, a longtime star of the sport, sent Gandler a message of support, writing, take care and come back stronger—we've all been there. Rest now so you can shine later. Norwegian standout Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold echoed the sentiment: Health first. There will be many more championships for you, Anna!
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This spirit of camaraderie is especially strong among younger athletes on the circuit, who often spend months traveling, training, and competing side by side. Gandler also took the time to thank fans for their kind messages and well-wishes. I feel your support, she wrote. Even though I'm out, I'll be cheering hard for my teammates and I can't wait to be back on skis soon.
The Future of Austrian Winter Olympic Biathlon
Austria's women's Winter Olympic biathlon team has been in a generational transition, and Gandler is seen as a cornerstone of its future. Alongside athletes like Lisa Hauser and Tamara Steiner, Gandler is part of a new wave aiming to put Austria back on the podium at major championships.
Her absence from Lenzerheide is a blow to Austria's medal hopes, particularly in the women's relay and individual events. However, the depth of the team means opportunities for others to step up. Rothschopf, who will replace Gandler, is another young athlete looking to gain valuable experience on the world stage. This is the nature of elite sport, said coach Tobias Eberhard. When one athlete is sideline, another gets a chance. We're all wishing Anna a quick recovery and we know she'll be back stronger.
Mental Strength in the Face of Disappointment
Gandler's graceful handling of the situation has also highlighted her mental strength—a quality just as important as physical skill in a sport as psychologically demanding as Winter Olympic biathlon. The ability to bounce back from adversity is something every Olympic-level athlete must master, and Gandler appears to be doing just that.
Every setback is an opportunity to grow, she wrote on social media. I've learned so much already and I'm more motivated than ever. It's that kind of mindset that makes fans, coaches, and teammates confident that Gandler's best days are still ahead.
Eyes on Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026: Gandler's Olympic Biathlon Comeback Journey
Anna Gandler's early exit from the Winter Olympic Biathlon World Championships is a disappointment, no doubt—but it's far from the end of the road. With her eyes on Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 and her heart set on returning stronger, Gandler remains one of the most inspiring and driven athletes in Winter Olympic biathlon today. As she recovers and resets, the Winter Olympic biathlon world will be watching—not with doubt, but with anticipation.
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