Biathlon: Back problems: Schempp dispenses with pursuit and relay in Oberhof

The German biathletes have to accept the next cancellation at the World Cup in Oberhof. As the German Ski Association announced on Saturday, Simon Schempp (Uhingen) will miss the pursuit on Saturday (15 o’ clock in the LIVETICKER) and the relay on Sunday (14.30 o’ clock in the LIVETICKER) because of back problems.

Already on Thursday, local hero Erik Lesser (Frankenhain) had declared his renunciation of sprint and persecution in the Thuringian Forest due to an infection.

“In the old year, he had already had a bit to do with back problems,”said national coach Mark Kirchner, explaining the Schempps exit. The goal for the mass start world champion is to “get his state of health really well under control again and to be really well prepared for the home world cup in Ruhpolding and for one of his favourite places in Antholz”.

Already after his 34th birthday. Schempp had complained about back problems in the sprint on Friday. In Oberhof, Kirchner will initially only be available to sprint world champion Benedikt Doll (Breitnau), Arnd Peiffer (Clausthal-Zellerfeld), Roman Rees (Switzerland) and Johannes Kühn (Reit im Winkl). Lesser’s start in the relay is open. The next World Cup will start on Wednesday in Ruhpolding.