Overview

• Hilbert says his form stalled and he sank into depression after the 50 km racewalk was dropped and he struggled with the new 35 km distance
• He ‘pulled the ripcord’ in January 2024 by entering psychotherapeutic treatment, which he calls the decisive turning point in his recovery
• As part of a broader reset, the 30-year-old relocated to Leipzig to live with his girlfriend Anna and switched to a new coach
• In an August interview with MDR, he described deep self-doubt and fears of being a “one-hit wonder” following his surprise 2021 Olympic silver
• Hilbert plans to return at next month’s World Championships in Tokyo and has set his sights on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics