Biathlon star Janina Hettich-Walz enjoys family time before the 2026 Olympics

Biathlon star Janina Hettich-Walz enjoys family time before the 2026 Olympics

German biathlon athlete Janina Hettich-Walz is currently recovering after an exciting but challenging season. She enjoys time with her daughter in an idyllic place, which she documents with pictures on Instagram. The photos show the athlete on a jetty in front of a lighthouse while the sea glitters in the background. However, her husband, who is believed to have taken the photos, is not seen in the pictures. In a heartfelt post, Hettich-Walz wishes all mothers and strong women a happy Mother's Day.

After taking a break last winter due to her pregnancy, Hettich-Walz is now planning to prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 winter season. Her big goal is the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy. The athlete uses the time with her family and friends to recharge her batteries before the intensive training begins. The athlete has already started her training in the last few weeks, which also includes her first interval training after five months.

Sporting career and return

Hettich-Walz's successes in her career are striking. At the 2021 World Championships in Pokljuka she won a silver medal in the relay. Another success followed in 2024 in Nove Mesto, where she again secured silver in the individual. Despite all these sporting achievements, her greatest success is considered to be the birth of her daughter Karlotta.

In her return to the biathlon scene, Hettich-Walz plans to be part of the German team again in the 2025/26 season and take part in the Olympic Games in Milan. She points to examples of other athletes who have successfully returned to the top of the world after pregnancy. She would also like to compete at the German Championships in Altenberg at the end of August and at the City Biathlon on September 15th in Dresden, provided her pregnancy remains uncomplicated.

Support through sport

Felix Bitterling, the biathlon's sports director, expressed his regret about Hettich-Walz's failure, but at the same time was happy about her happiness with the baby. He emphasized support for their return for the 2025/26 Olympic season. In order to optimally prepare for her return, the athlete plans to train to a reduced extent in her hometown of Schönwald. Hettich-Walz is determined to realize her sporting ambitions even after the birth of her daughter.

Janina Hettich-Walz's determination and her positive attitude give hope for an exciting return to competition. As she prepares for the Olympics, her fans and supporters alike remain excited about what the future holds.