Sven Fischer

Born on 16 April 1971 in Schmalkalden, Thuringia, Germany, Sven Fischer is a former biathlete. From his early years his talents for sports were recognized. In third grade Fischer was already training three times a week in the BSG Werkzeugkombinat sports club. In the fifth grade, he became the district champion of his age class. In September 1983, Fischer got accepted at the boarding school KJS on a biathlon youth scholarship. In 1989, after his final exams he was determined to become a sports teacher. That year Fischer joined the army. But in 1990 after the fall after the Berlin wall, he was forced to leave the military. A sudden problem occurred with his kneecaps after a growth spurt and he had thoughts he may be have to give up sports for good. However after his recovery, Fischer was incredibly surprised of his condition and in December 1990, he made his first European cup victory in the 10 km sprint in Hochfilzen. Later Fischer was part of the German relay in the World Cup tour. He succeeded to qualify for the World Cup tour in Pokljuka in 1992. His incredibly successful career began with the 1993 World Championships in Borovets, Bulgaria. Sven Fischer won two medals - a gold with the team and bronze in the relay. He came 20th in the sprint. After that on 20 March 1993 at the very last races of the season, Fischer made his first individual World Cup victory in the sprint in Kontiolahti. In the end Fischer was 6th in the overall. The 1993-1994 season, Fischer made two World Cup wins. On 20 January 1994 he won the 20 km Individual and on 12 March 1994 - the sprint in Hinton. These fantastic results rapidly sent him as part of the German team to represent his country at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Sven Fischer won his first two Olympic medals - a gold with the team and a bronze in the Individual. He finished 7th in the sprint event. Sven Fischer concluded the season at number 2 in the overall. Sadly on the World Cup tour, the 1994-1995 season passed without an individual victory. At the 1995 World Championships held in Antholz-Anterselva, Fischer won a gold medal in the relay. In the other disciplines, he was 26th in the sprint and 14th with the team. Fischer finished at 18th place in the overall. During the 1995-1996 season, he achieved two victories. On 14 December 1995 Fischer won the 20 km Individual. Two days later he won the 10 km sprint in Holmenkollen. At the 1996 World Championships in Ruhpolding, Fischer won a silver medal in the relay, came 22nd in the Individual, 19th in the sprint and 6th with the team. The season ended for him at number 3 in the overall. In 1996-1997 Fischer made three World Cup wins. He was the winner in the sprint and pursuit in Lillehammer and in the sprint in Nagano. The 1997 World Championships, brought him another medal with the relay, a gold. He finished 5th in the Individual, 24th in the sprint and 23rd in the pursuit. In the end Fischer was the overall leader for the first time in his career, holding the big crystal globe. The 1997-1998 was an Olympic season. At his second Games in his career, in 1998 in Nagano, Fischer won a gold medal in the relay. In the other disciplines he was 16th in the Individual and 29th in the sprint. That season Fischer managed one World Cup victory in the 12.5 km pursuit in Kontiolahti. At the 1998 World Championships in Pokljuka, he won a silver medal with the team and placed 4th in the pursuit. During the 1998-1999 season, Sven Fischer demolished the competition. His star shined so bright like it never has before. He won four World Cup races - the sprint and pursuit in Brezno-Osrblie, the sprint in Lake Placid and Holmenkollen. At the 1999 World Championships in Kontiolahti, Sven Fischer won three medals - two gold in the Individual and mass start; and one bronze in the pursuit. He placed 7th in the sprint and 4th in the relay. There couldn't have been any doubts that Fischer would conclude the season at number 1. For the second time in his career he proudly and most deserved hols the big crystal globe and a second overall title. In the 1999-2000 season, Fischer made two World Cup wins. He won the pursuits in Lahti and a week later in Khanty-Mansiysk. At the 2000 World Championships in Holmenkollen, Fischer won one bronze medal in the relay. He finished 19th in the Individual, 40th in the sprint and 13th in the sprint and mass start. The season was over at number 3 in the overall. Fischer won two bronze medals in the pursuit and mass start at the 2001 World Championships in Pokljuka. In the other events he was 11th in the Individual, 5th in the sprint and 12th in the relay. That season on the World Cup tour he achieved two victories in the 15 km mass starts in Oberhof and Holmenkollen. Fischer finished 5th in the 2000-2001 overall. During the 2001-2002 he made three victories in the sprint in Östersund and the pursuits in Ruhpolding and Holmenkollen. That season with most anticipation everyone was waiting for the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. When they finally came, Fischer won two silver medals in the sprint and with the relay. He finished 29th in the Individual and 12th in the pursuit. In the end of the season Fischer was 4th in the overall. In 2002-2003 he made one World Cup victory in the sprint in Östersund. Later at the 2003 World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk, Fischer won two medals - a gold with the relay team and a silver in the mass start. He also one the silver in the 15 km mass start the previous year during the 2002 World Championships in Holmenkollen. At the 2004 World Championships held in Oberhof, Fischer won a gold medal in the relay. In the other disciplines his performance was 16th in the Individual, 8th in the sprint, 23rd in the pursuit and 11th in the mass start. During the season 2003-2004 he won the 20 km Individual in Antholz-Anterselva and the 15 km mass start in Fort Kent. The 2004-2005 was very successful. Fischer achieved five victories. He won the pursuit in Beitostølen, then the Individual and pursuit in Holmenkollen, as well as the sprints in Oberhof and Khanty-Mansiysk. The 2005 World Championships were also sensational. Fischer won three medals - two silver in the sprint and mass start; and one bronze in the pursuit. He came 4th in the Individual and 6th in the relay. The season concluded at number 2 in the overall. In 2005-2006 all energy was preserved for the Olympics in Turin. Sven Fischer made those Games the most successful Olympics in his career. He won three medals - two gold in the sprint and the relay; and one bronze in the pursuit. In the other events, Fischer was 17th in the Individual and the mass start. On a World Cup level, Fischer won the Individual and pursuit in Brezno-Osrblie. He finished the season at 3rd place in the overall. The 2006-2007 was his last season in the sport. Fischer didn't win any World Cup races but at the 2007 World Championships claimed the bronze medal in the relay. On 18 March 2007 he announced his retirement. Sven Fischer, the great Sven Fischer terminated his remarkable career with 16 individual of all 33 victories, 90 individual podiums, two overall and 8 discipline titles. The list goes on with 8 Olympic medals and 20 medals from World Championships. He is the best biathlete Germany ever has produced.