Climate change puts a strain on biathletes: "It's really bad, my heart is bleeding"

No snow, but rain and high temperatures: This winter hasn't really been one so far.

Climate change puts a strain on biathletes: "It's really bad, my heart is bleeding"

No snow, but rain and high temperatures: This winter hasn't really been one so far. This particularly affects the people who practice their sport professionally at this time of the year. Among them is Germany's best biathlete Denise Herrmann-Wick.

Biathlon Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick is dealing with the visible consequences of climate change before the upcoming World Cup in her adopted home of Ruhpolding. "It's really bad, my heart bleeds when I'm there and see how nature is just waking up as if it were already spring," said the 34-year-old Saxon who lives in Chiemgau. "We're all shaking and looking forward to the home World Cup. We hope the conditions are cool, but it looks really sad."

A lack of snowfall, rain and temperatures that are far too high for the time of year have made preparations for the World Cup considerably more difficult in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the total of six competitions should take place from Wednesday to Sunday, also confirmed by the Biathlon World Association IBU. So far, the organizers have had to make great efforts to prepare the routes accordingly. A thin white band can be seen in the otherwise green landscape. The courses were prepared with reserves from the snow depots, but recently there was no fresh natural snow.

"I really hope and I check every day that a cold spell is coming and winter is really starting," said Herrmann-Wick. However, there is no sign of a longer period of temperatures below freezing and snowfall this week either. Up to nine degrees and some rain were predicted. The last sporting impression of the German biathletes is also rather sad: At the end of the World Cup on the Pokljuka, the mixed relay clearly missed the podium. The quartet of Roman Rees, Benedikt Doll, Sophia Schneider and Denise Herrmann-Wick finished fifth in the World Championship dress rehearsal after two penalties and eleven spare rounds.