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Vanessa Voigt Reveals Pneumonia Behind Slump, Plans Olympic-Focused Return

Voigt says a pneumonia diagnosis explained her collapse, crediting mental coaching for her return.

Overview

  • The German biathlete says a lung infection diagnosed as pneumonia led her to end the 2024/25 season in January after a sharp downturn in results.
  • She had opened the winter with individual podiums and a relay win before placing 68th in Oberhof and 70th in Ruhpolding, prompting concern and medical checks.
  • Voigt describes feeling powerless during the decline and acknowledges she briefly considered retiring, a thought she later shared in a sponsor video.
  • She resumed training in March on a reduced load, increased in April, and rejoined full team preparation in May with a priority on health stability.
  • Current work includes experimenting with a faster first shot in shooting, which she has not yet committed to using in competition, while she reports feeling well and on plan.