German biathlon team battles mystery stomach illness at 2026 Olympics

German biathlon team battles mystery stomach illness at 2026 Olympics

A cross section of a human stomach with a small amount of blood, displaying a cytomegalovirus infection.

German biathlon team battles mystery stomach illness at 2026 Olympics

Stomach troubles have disrupted the German women's biathlon team at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Several athletes, including two confirmed cases, faced digestive issues before key events. The cause of the problem remains unknown, though precautions have since been taken to prevent further spread.

The first signs of trouble appeared when Janina Hettich-Walz withdrew from the sprint event on February 14 due to stomach symptoms. Around the same time, Vanessa Voigt competed despite suffering from similar issues for two days. She managed to finish 12th in the sprint, shooting cleanly with no errors.

Franziska Preuß, another affected athlete, moved into a single room as a precaution. She later competed in the sprint, finishing seventh, and reported no lingering problems. Team lodging underwent thorough cleaning and disinfection after the incidents, and no further cases have emerged since.

The issue was not limited to the German team. A Czech athlete and a Czech team official also experienced comparable symptoms. Earlier, Norwegian biathlete Johan-Olav Botn had suffered a gastrointestinal infection during altitude training before the Games.

Preuß is now set to compete in the pursuit event on Sunday, aiming for her first individual Olympic medal.

The source of the stomach problems remains unidentified, but disinfection measures appear to have contained the issue. With no new cases reported, the German team can now focus on upcoming competitions. Preuß's participation in the pursuit event marks a return to full strength for the squad.

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