Winter Sports: Biathlon: Austrian Landertinger is operated on the lumbar spine

Former biathlon world champion Dominik Landertinger has to go under the knife.The Austrian will undergo a lumbar spine operation on Thursday.

This was announced by the Austrian Ski Association.It is not yet clear whether the 29-year-old will be eliminated in Pyeongchang/South Korea for the Olympic Winter Games next February.

“It’s really shot me.After a more detailed examination and consultation with the doctors and the sporting leaders, I have now decided to take this step,”said Landertinger.

According to ÖSV, the Tyrolean, who won gold medal at the 2009 World Championships, has been suffering from intervertebral disc problems for almost a year, which became acute again last week.