The body of double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier is likely to be left on top of the mountain in Pakistan where she died in a tragic accident. 

Dahlmeier, 31, was struck by a sudden rockfall at an altitude of around 5,700 metres at Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountains on Monday.

Laura’s climbing companion contacted rescue services, leading to an international recovery team’s deployment to the location. Nevertheless, a helicopter managed to reach the hard-to-access area only by Tuesday morning, and the rescue team could not get to the German athlete.

The search continued on Wednesday, when she was found dead. 

Local authorities have since confirmed they are likely to respect Dahlmeier’s ‘written wishes’ and leave her body behind on the mountain.

A statement on her Instagram read, ‘Laura had made it explicitly clear and documented that in such an event, she did not want anyone to endanger their own lives attempting to rescue her.’ Her desire was that her remains be left on the mountain.

The body of Laura Dahlmeier is to be left on the mountain where an accident took her life

Professional mountaineer Thomas Huber paid a touching tribute to the athlete by sharing a photo of her red tent on Instagram

A month ago Dahlmeier said she was having an ‘amazing time’ on her mountain adventure

‘This is also in line with the express wishes of the relatives, who have requested Laura’s last wishes be respected.’ 

Authorities have not officially confirmed that her body will remain on the mountain.

According to a report by Bild, a local government spokesperson, Faizullah Faraq, stated: ‘We were informed that Laura Dahlmeier’s wish was for her body to remain on the mountain posthumously. “I wish to be laid to rest in the mountains, that’s my dream.”

‘That was her dream. Now her wish has been fulfilled, so we are considering whether we can leave her body there.’

Dahlmeier had been climbing in the Hushe Valley with her mountaineering partner Marina Eva Krauss when she was struck by the falling rocks. Her representatives added that she most likely died instantly, while Krauss was unharmed.

Dahlmeier won two gold medals and a bronze in biathlon at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and is also a seven-time world champion. She retired in 2019.

Biathlon is one of the most demanding sports on the Winter Olympic Programme, and combines cross country skiing with rifle marksmanship.

Events see competitors ski a set course before stopping at designated shooting ranges to fire at targets with a rifle. Missing a target incurs a penalty.

Dahlmeier was climbing in the Hushe Valley, part of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, when she was struck by a sudden rockfall on Monday. A rescue team was dispatched (file photo)

‘The International Biathlon Union is deeply saddened to learn that former Olympic and World Champion Laura Dahlmeier has passed away at the age of 31 following a tragic mountaineering accident in Pakistan,’ the sport’s governing body said in a statement.

‘Laura was one of the greatest athletes to grace biathlon and her loss is felt deeply by everyone in biathlon, the wider German sport family and beyond.

‘Laura’s energy and passion for life touched so many around the world. Her legacy, both within biathlon and beyond, will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire countless athletes and adventurers for generations to come.’

IOC President Kirsty Coventry added in another statement: ‘The news about the passing of two-time Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier in a terrible mountaineering accident is deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic Movement. 

‘She lost her life in her beloved mountains. Laura made history at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever. 

‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.’

Dahlmeier’s close friend, professional mountaineer Thomas Huber, paid a touching tribute to the athlete by sharing a photo of her red tent.

‘Ahhh Laura, your tent is empty now, but your energy shines through those mountains for eternity,’ Huber, who was part of the rescue team, wrote on Instagram. ‘All the pain over the experience can hardly be described in words.’