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Pokljuka (dpa) - Olympic champion Kati Wilhelm hopes that the previously disappointing biathlon men will finally find their way to success on Wednesday in the individual at the World Cup in Pokljuka.

The men's results are “sobering”, especially the shooting problems “a minor disaster.

I am surprised by the general uncertainty, because they are all experienced athletes, ”said the 44-year-old of the daily newspaper“ Free Word ”.

With a view to the shooting-heavy individual race (2.30 p.m. / ZDF and Eurosport), a “little miracle must come about, but that already existed in biathlon, and you can't actually forget how to shoot”.

Wilhelm, who has been world champion five times and won Olympic gold three times, has the greatest expectations of Arnd Peiffer and his colleagues in the relay on Saturday.

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After Simon Schempp (32) ended his career shortly before the World Cup and Arnd Peiffer (33) and Erik Lesser (32) will not be active for that long, the German biathlon men will soon see a major upheaval.

«And I still don't see anyone who can close the gap.

Also from further down, i.e. in the junior area, no one announces itself.

It used to be very different, "said Wilhelm.

The core problem is the transition from junior to adult level.

«The final goal must be the senior citizen area.

The athletes do not have to have reached their limits in the junior area.

A rethink has to take place here.

In the bases, the focus is perhaps too much on the moment than on the long term, ”said the Thuringian.

The problems have been recognized in the ski association.

«We are working on this.

This is a process that we initiated.

We have to introduce the young people because the upheaval will come relatively quickly, ”said Sport Director Bernd Eisenbichler on ARD.

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Like the entire team, he is more than dissatisfied with the medal situation.

«That is not our claim.

But we won't give up and we will do everything as a team to win one or two medals, ”said the Bavarian.

One of the greats has not yet written off the Germans.

"I bet Arnd will come second and make a good individual competition," said French star Martin Fourcade, who ended his career after the preseason.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210216-99-469157 / 2

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Information about the Biathlon World Cup

Schedule Biathlon World Cup

Biathlon world cup calendar

Biathlon in the German Ski Association