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Final Pap

er

Managing Emotions in Biathlon

Mental Sk

ills Traini

ng

This paper analyzes Magdalena Neuners management and

mismanagement of emotions at the 2010 Vancouver Winter

Olympics.



Athlete: Magdalena Neuner

Sport: Biathlon

Competition Events: Womens 7.5 km SprintWomens 10 km Pursuit

Womens 12.5 km Mass Start

Womens 15 km Individual

Womens 4x6 km Relay

About the Sport:

Biathlon (Kcros, 2010) is a Winter Olympic and International World Cup sport which combines

cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The objective of the sport is to complete the course in the least

amount of time, hitting as many targets as possible to avoid penalties. Athletes ski a designated ski

loop and then ski into the range to fire five shots at five targets. An elite athlete usually takes 20 to 25

seconds to aim and shoot five bullets. Missing a target can be costly: depending on the event, a missed

shot means either skiing a 150 metres penalty loop (like at the Winter Olympics) or one minute of

added time to his/her race.

The interesting part of the biathlon is that it combines the physical endurance, strength and

balance required for cross country skiing with the mental poise and precision needed to shoot

accurately over 50 metres -while the clock is still running (Kcros, 2010). It has been compared to

running 100 metres and then trying to thread a needle. It is an exciting sport that challenges

participants not only to develop the fitness and coordination needed for cross-country skiing, but also

the mental discipline and concentration required to shoot accurately under pressure. And that is



Magdalena Neuners Management and Mismanagement of Emotions in the Olympics:

Orlick (2008) sustains that focus is the most important element for performance, and biathlon

is not an exception. A clear example of how your focus can affect your performance is provided by

Magdalena Neuner at the Vancouver Olympics 2010. In the womens 10 km Pursuit, she missed her last

shot before winning the gold medal, costing her a penalty loop, wobbling her chance to win. But how is

this related more to focus instead of the athletes technique? In an interview with the Canadian Press

(Strong, 2010) the Canadian biathlete Zina Kocher declared: "The thing about shooting is we know how

to shoot [...], we know all the technical aspects of shooting. That's not the difficult part. The difficult

part is coming in there, knowing that you can shoot 100 per cent and just being calm about it and

doing it". And in fact, in an interview (Preiss, 2010), Magdalena Neuner affirmed: I'm often portrayed

as a bad shooter, while that's not true, my technique is almost perfect", reinforcing Kochers words. So,

if their technique at shooting is not an issue, why do they have a hard time with it? Actually, Neuner

(Kreisl, 2009) gave the answer: "with shooting a problem is in the head, but one cannot coach the head

simply so, which comes back to focus.

As Magdalena commented in numerous interviews after her 10 km race, during the four first

shooting of the last exercise she was calm, but in the last one, she got nervous when she thought: this

is it, and I will be an Olympic champion. According to Jones (2000) there is a cognitive process that

determines the relevance of an event that results in an emotional response. In this case, being an

Olympic champion is sufficiently strong to make Magdalena Neuner nervous. In fact, individuals goals



her coaches affirmed that she has no physical or technical problems while shooting, and that the issues

are entirely in her head (Futterman, 2010). And in another occasion she even recognized, "With

shooting a problem is in the head, but one cannot coach the head simply so" (Kreisl, 2009).

What are the so called issues in her head ? Apparently, two main thoughts or worries hanged

around her. On one side she has had many injuries shooting which are not easy to get out of her head

(Preiss, 2010). And on the other, last year she mentioned: "Already by the start I have thoughts of what

happens if I miss again2" and "I always think what I will say to the reporters this time if I miss again"

(Kreisl, 2009). With those phantoms in mind, it is not hard to infer probable reasons of her shooting

troubles. According to Sarason (1972) and Wine (1971) (in Horn, 2008) worry is an emotional state that

distracts attention, explaining some of the negative consequences of anxiety on performance:

individuals who focus their attention on task-irrelevant thoughts, like Magdalenas worries, ignore

critical task cues and therefore their performances do not reflect their ability. Also anxiety and a high

arousal, provoke the physiological responses that I explained in the previous section, impacting on her

performances too.

So, one of the firsts things that Magdalenas mental coach did (Futterman, 2010), was

instructing her to change her attitude about shooting, to embrace it rather than dread it, and to smile

when she picked up her rifle: 'Last year, as I would get there I would think, 'Oh, no,' and I would be

nervous. But this year, I run to the shooting range, and I get happy when I am there' she said. 'Maybe I

make one mistake sometimes, but, all in all, there is a good feeling for shooting now'. As reported by



the performance should improve, leading to more positive interpretations and feelings of self-

confidence. There are several possible ways to do it. For instance, turning everything to a positive is

one strategy. Some examples from Magdalena are: smiling when she picks up her rifle, change her

negative thoughts to more positives ones; so, instead of thinking oh no before shooting, she repeats

to herself "I know that I can shoot well", helping her to move her negative focus from the reporters a

more convenient and positive one. In this regard, self-talk is a powerful tool helping performers to

control their emotions, boost their confidence, promote rational thinking, relaxation, and motivation

(Thelwell, Weston, & Greenlees, 2008).

Magdalena is also learning how to keep the balance in her life. As Orlick (2008) points out,

when individuals are overloaded their focus drifts from one thing to another, [their] tension rises, and

[their] gut knots up as [they] think about how [they] can meet everyones demands, including [their]

own (p.231). They will be probably thinking in things irrelevant to their performances and very tired

since the chances are that they do not have enough time to rest and recover adequately, impairing

them to be at their best when performing. That is why athletes need to remind themselves that they

can do only a limited number of things. And in this regard, to find and respect the priorities in their

lives is very important, which is exactly what Magdalena seems to be doing. Kreisl (2009) notes that

since last year Magdalena has a new attitude not seen before; she has started to say no, cancelling

sponsor's appointments, charity events or gala scenes because she recognizes how important her rest

and quiet time is to attain her biathlon goals. As sustained by her coach Bernhard Kröll, "she is a



Broad the athletes perspective is another important aspect to the athletes performance and

wellbeing. As stated by her coach, Magdalena has the attitude that there are other things besides

biathlon, she knits and plays harp" (Preiss, 2010). In fact, knowing when to switch on and off from the

sport is one the attributes of Mental Toughness (Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2007). A mentally

tough performer knows what is her/his correct balance in life (p.252) and how it contributes to

her/his success. An interesting comment from Magdalena which demonstrate her balance is that even

if the 2018 Olympic Games take place possibly in her home country, she cannot really imagine a start in

eight years: Later I would just like to lead a life that has nothing to do with biathlon", she says (Preiss,

2010). Believing that biathlon is not the only possible thing for her to do in life takes some of the

pressure of performing well all the time. Probably having this perspective prevents her from confusing

the outcome of her performance with her overall worth as a human being, because our human

essence extends far beyond our performance in a given task at a given time (Orlick, 2008), aspect

sometimes forgotten in elite athletes. Knowing that they are more than their sport is something hard

to understand for some athletes who spend their whole day for several years only training. At the

Olympics, we could appreciate her self-awareness and balance where she decided to take herself out

the Biathlon relay, demonstrating that winning medals was not the most important thing for her, she

did not need another medal, deciding to give her teammates a chance to win medals too (News Wires,

2010). Without a doubt this will be a strength for her when she decides to leave the sport. She will not

be left alone without any identity or value when she stops, and even if the transition take her some



Another intervention of Magdalenas mental coach was teaching her how to control her

breathing and visualize hitting each target before she pulls the trigger (Futterman, 2010). Probably,

the main goal of the breathing was to help Magdalena to switch her focus to a more helpful one for

her. As it was previously said, she was usually thinking on her past injuries, possible failures and the

media, clearly not an optimal focus for her (since she was not consistent in her shooting).

Consequently, giving her the task to control her breathing before shooting, would direct her attention

towards that, preventing her from having other negative thoughts not related or relevant for the task.

We can conjecture that this new focus helped her to relax and being in control, keeping her worries

away. Visualization was also important in this regard, according to Orlick (2008) imagining in your

mind and body the feeling of executing the moves that you need to be successful can help you to

accomplish those moves in the real world (p.102). So, visualization probably not only facilitated her to

focus at the shooting task, but also helped to enhance her self-efficacy (Jones M. , 2000); it maintained

her calm preventing the entrance of other thoughts and it supported a more useful and positive focus

when shooting.

As a result, as she skis the final stretch of the course into the shooting range, she slows down

her breaths and begins to see herself hitting the targets. The screams of the crowd and the ubiquitous

sounds of clanking cowbells begin to disappear. I hear them when I am on the course, but never when

I am on the range, she said. I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the

race. The focus is only on me. As soon as I see the targets, I tune them out (Futterman, 2010).This is



her to focus on what she needed at the moment. She got nervous when she thought on the possibility

of being an Olympic champion, being distracted by that positive outcome.

Without a doubt, being consistent in a sport is something not easy to achieve. After Magdalena

Neuners history in shooting, nobody knew what to expect in the Olympics. Even if she was a very

strong skier, in the shooting range is another story. Numerous interviews described how difficult was

for her to get ridded of her negative thoughts and focus on what she needed to, to perform well.

Fortunately to her (and to Germany), the mental skills that the sport psychologist taught her worked

very well. She finally learnt how maintain a positive perspective and an appropriate focus for her while

shooting, how to sustain a positive self talk, and she also discovered how to breathe and visualize her

shoots before pulling the trigger, boosting her confidence and giving her mind something positive to

focus on. Finally, the idea that there are other things besides biathlon is a very important part of her

performance since it takes some of the pressure away and keeps her in balance, and it probably will

play a big role when she makes her sport transition in the future.

However she is not completely consistent yet, she still has some focusing errors, not the same

as before though, which demonstrate how we are constantly changing and developing, something

that would probably never end. So, debriefing after every race, learning what went well and what

needs improvement is a central part of the process. There is not a single answer for every athlete

either, everyone is different and that is why each person has to discover what works for them in each



References:

Aberethy, B. (2001). Attention. In R. H. Singer, Handbook of Sport Psychology (2nd ed.) (Chapter 3).

CTVOlympics.ca. (29 January 2010). Athletes to watch in 2010 - Biathlon. Recuperado el 15 de February

de 2010, de CTVOlympics.ca: http://www.ctvolympics.ca/biathlon/news/newsid=3295.html

Futterman, M. (10 February 2010). The Skier Who Can't Shoot Straight . Recuperado el 15 de February

de 2010, de The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431404575067551470214036.html

Horn, T. S. (2008). Advances in sport psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Jones, G., Hanton, S., & Connaughton, D. (2007). Framework of Mental Toughness in the Worlds Best

Performers. The Sport Psychologist, 21 , 243-264.

Jones, M. (2000). Controlling emotions in Sport . The Sport Psychologist 17 , 471-486.

Kcros (2010). Retrieved March 5, 2010, from Kcros: http://www.kcros.org.au/biathlon/biathlon.htm

Kreisl, V. V. (11 de December de 2009). Suche nach dem Nichts. Recuperado el 05 de February de 2010,

de sueddeutsche.de: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/915/497223/text/

Kuzma, B. (10 de February de 2010). No catching Germanys Neuner in biathlon showdown.

Recuperado el 11 de March de 2010, de Dose.ca:

http://www.dose.ca/sports/2010wintergames/biathlon/catching+Germany+Neuner+biathlon+sho

wdown/2572189/story.html

News Wires (23 February 2010). Germany's Neuner will not take part in biathlon relay . Retrieved 25

February 2010, de France 24: http://www.france24.com/en/20100222-germany-winter-olympic-

games-biathlon-neuner-gold-treble-biathlon

Orlick, T. (2008). In Pursuit of Excellence. Champaign: Human Kinetics.

Preiss, D. (2010, February 14). Die neue Masche der Magdalena Neuner . Retrieved March 6, 2010, fromStuttgarter Nachrichten: http://stuttgarter-

nachrichten.de/content/stuttgarter_nachrichten/categories/news/categories/sport/categories/wi

nterspiele_2010/articles/die_neue_masche_der__magdalena_neuner.html

Strong, G. (2010, January 25). Kocher and Le Guellec likely Canada's best bets for Olympic success in



The Skier Who Can't Shoot Straight The Wall Street Journal

FEBRUARY 16, 2010

Germany's 'Biathlon Beauty' Is Quick on the Snowbut Accuracy with a Gun Is another Story

Most people who win Olympic medals in the somewhat incongruous sport of biathlon have two exceptional

skillsthey're gifted cross-country skiers and excellent target shooters.

Germany's Magdalena Neuner, who won a silver medal in the 7.5-kilometer sprint Saturday and who will

compete in the 10-kilometer pursuit Tuesday, has taken a different, and considerably more lopsided, approach

to the sport.

She's fast as heck on skis, but get out of the way when she picks up a gun.

During the past four years on the World Cup tour, Ms. Neuner's shooting percentagethe rate at which she hits

targetshas ranged from 73% to 78%, about 10 percentage points lower than the other top biathletes on the

World Cup circuit. Ms. Neuner has particular problems shooting from the standing position, where the past four

years she has never hit more than 65% of the targets. Lying down, her percentages range from 85% to 91%.

That sort of inaccuracy can cause serious problems. For each of five targets a biathlete misses during a shooting

round, they have to do a humiliating lap around a 150-meter penalty loop, costing them precious time in the

race. The only reason the 23-year-old Ms. Neuner (rhymes with "joiner") has a shot at any medal is that she's far

and away the fastest skier on the women's side of the event. She's so fast that Germany's regular cross-country

team wants her to ski in next week's relay.

During Saturday's event, Ms. Neuner missed a target during her second round of shooting, sending her to the

penalty loop and costing her about 10 seconds. Seven minutes later she crossed the finish line and collapsed

into the snow, gasping for air. She'd finished in second place, just 1.5 seconds behind the ultimate gold-medal

winner, Anastazia Kuzmina of Slovakia. Had Ms. Neuner completed two clean rounds on the range, she would

have won going away.

"I missed the one target," Ms. Neuner said after the race, "but then I hit four more." The fact that she could

have won gold with one more-accurate shot didn't seem to faze her. "It's a silver medal," she added, "It's great."

During the 2008-09 season, Ms. Neuner's struggles on the shooting range became a soap opera in Germany,

where she's a major celebrity. Some have asked why she doesn't just bag biathlon and focus on skiing

exclusively. But biathlon is the third most popular sport in Germany, after soccer and Formula One racing, with

televised competitions every weekend throughout the winter. Biathletes take in more than $1 million a year in

prize money and sponsorships. Cross-country skiers make substantially less and receive far less exposure and

notoriety.

A six-time world champion at individual distances and relays, Ms. Neuner is one of the stars of Germany's

Olympic team. Blond and blue-eyed with a wide, telegenic smile, Ms. Neuner has been called "our biathlon

beauty" by Germany's Bild newspaper. News of her silver medal led German news reports Sunday though

many German fans were disappointed that she missed gold by just 1.5 seconds. In Whistler, British Columbia,

where the skiing events are taking place, a pack of a dozen German sports journalists track her every move.

"I am very impressed the way she is representing her sport and her country," said Thomas de Maiziere,

Germany's minister of inner affairs "And to think she is only 23 That makes her something special "



Neuner's room the other night and she was speaking to her psychologist through Skype, the Internet video

service.

Ms. Neuner said her psychologist first instructed her to change her attitude about the shooting range, toembrace it rather than dread it, and to smile when she picks up her rifle. "Last year, as I would get there I

would think, 'Oh, no,' and I would be nervous. But this year, I run to the shooting range, and I get happy when I

am there," she said.

Ms. Neuner has learned to control her breathing and visualize hitting each target before she pulls the trigger.

As she skis the final stretch of the course into the shooting range, she slows down her breaths and begins to

see herself hitting the targets. The screams of the crowd and the ubiquitous sounds of clanking cowbells begin

to disappear. "I hear them when I am on the course, but never when I am on the range," she said. "I don't think

about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon as I see thetargets, I tune them out."

So far the changes have produced slow and steady progress, as Ms. Neuner's shooting percentage has, at

times, risen into the mid 80s this season in competition, though when she wins it's often in spite of her

shooting rather than because of it, and she has to ski farther than anyone else on the podium.

Last month at Antholz-Anterselva in Italy, for instance, Ms. Neuner won races at 7.5 and 15 kilometres, even

though in the 15-kilometer race she missed more targets than any of the next five finishers. In the 7.5-

kilometer race, she missed one of 10 targets. The second- and third-place finishers missed none. In a 10-

kilometer race that weekend, she missed four of 20 targets, and still managed to finish second.And yet, true to her new positive outlook, Ms. Neuner won't let any of this get her down.

"I know that I can shoot well," she said Saturday night at Germany House in Whistler, her silver medal sitting at

her fingertips.

"Last year was difficult, but I made a U-turn and now I am going to show everybody that I can shoot well.

Maybe I make one mistake sometimes, but, all in all, there is a good feeling for shooting now," she said.

Matthew Karnitschnig contributed to this article.

Athletes to watch in 2010 - Biathlon

CTVOlympics.ca

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Women:

Magdalena Neuner (Germany): While former German star Uschi Disl has retired, this speedy biathlete, nickname

Turbo-Lena, is the new sensation for Germany. At age 21, she became the youngest triple World Champion in

biathlon ever. She is among the top performers in this season's World Cup -- hoping to defend her 2007-08 title -

- although she did have one total collapse in Antholz, where she lost a huge lead by missing every single shot in

her final shooting exercise. She is known to get very nervous about her standing shooting and is focused on

improving that mental hurdle before her first Olympics.

Search after Nothing Von Volker Kreisl/ Sueddeutsche de



itself in the knowledge about the fact that to a pursuer sit in the neck, correctly - to go in regard to shooting

little bit slower, but not to waste the projection. Not everyone controls this art, but this does nothing, because

there are still many other contest forms in the biathlon. However, with Magdalena Neuner was different duringthe last years. For her every running was a pursuit running.

Neuners preparation on the next Olympic season was so effective that she was also hardly thrown back by a

lighter infection at the end of November. On Friday she will run with some delay her first world cup running in

2009. Altogether she is well trained, but speed has never been with the 23-year-old the problem. What she is

asked every year afresh for, this time is her progress in the shooting range. Since also in last winter Neuner gave

away some victory. Time shot them as if she had a precision rifle with infra-red binoculars - and then again as if

she bangs with coarse meal.

Battle with the doubts

What has done itself? Neuner thinks something, however, reports not from new trainers and technical

progress, but only time of how she always felt in the running during the last years: "Already by the start I have

thought what happens if I miss again. Neuner's speciality is the fast ribbon, also the big projection and

therefore always the chance to the victory with the good last shooting. Neuner runs rapidly and then falls

deeply, and because the more frequent happened, settled this doubt: I always thought what I say to the

reporters this time if I have missed again. However, in the contest a Biathlete should think of something else.

He should completely be with his body, pay attention to his run technology, on the signals of the trainers, onthe empty spaces in the head in the shooting range. Only how does this go if lastingly of the same thoughts is

there?

"During the runnings", says Neuners home trainer Bernhard Kröll, "it has been based to itself something". If a

doubt is superior, one gets often in a parallel battle, sometime one thinks about the fact that one should not

think, and then that one determines immediately refused because one thought too much about the failure.

With laser animation, more dry training or optimized leg attitude with the shot notice such a problem cannot

be solved, that is why Neuner also tells rather what she has made in this summer strengthened: nothing. On the

one hand, she has tried out no new training forms, she has also not graduated any more bases and tempotraining than, otherwise. New is their readiness to say no. Now Neuner also cancels sponsor's appointments,

Charity-Empfänge or gala scenes because she recognized how important the idleness is. "She is a sportswoman

", says Bernhard Kröll, " needs the peace phases after the load, really. "

Help of the mental coach

A small, but perhaps essential change has come in their work then, nevertheless, even if not in the training.

Now Neuner cooperates with a mental coach, these are conversations about which she betrays like almost all

high serious runners nothing. She says only: "Once I have consisted the week with somebody, this has helped."She constructs here a wall, and this is only consistent. Since nobody in their sport has got with 20 already three

WM titles. Neuner had succeeded in 2007 in Antholz. She was pursued by the justification pressure that this

performance cannot be continued sequentially afterwards running for running. Now she does not leave the

public farther in herself near, she tries to take from the expectations in force.

"With shooting a problem is in the head, but one cannot coach the head simply so", says Neuner. Examinations

h d d h h d f d ll f h h h l d l f h



long program, but she will try to think as little as possible about it. Today the sprint of the women begins first in

high felts in Austria. Can be that Magdalena Neuner well also, however, shoots, perhaps not.

The new trick of Magdalena NeunerStuttgarter Nachrichten/ Dirk Preiss

14/02/2010

Whistler. Did you think that that may be in the fight for gold medals at the Olympic Games textile works and

music-making decisive factors? Hardly. Is not so. Acknowledgments Uwe idleness, the coach of the German

biathletes. He should know. Finally, he has in his capacity on the one hand, although a nice life, because his team

is probably the best in the world. On the other hand, the pressure at large-it will not be smaller. And since it

cannot hurt to find the coach when you know that the sport is not everything in life. "The Lena," says idleness,

referring to Magdalena Neuner (23), "has the attitude that there are other things as biathlon." Then he makes a

teeny-tiny break - and ads: "She knits and plays harp."

That sounds pretty funny now, but idleness is actually glad that Neuner, which was at the 2007 World Cup in

Anterselva virtually overnight star, so let's say, knitting is. Otherwise he would have to worry about. Because the

conditions that they are totally unencumbered lands in the Olympic biathlon sprint this Saturday (22 clock /

ARD) are not good. For, the expectation that they stirred up in recent years by a total of six World Cup titles, is

enormous. And there is the problem that the running track at Whistler Olympic Park is not really to the taste of

Bavarian. She is not particularly difficult to handle, the decision is probably more than ever at the shooting

range. Neuner and not just regarded as the female issue of Lucky Luke.

Are good reasons, why could make himself crazy Magdalena Neuner - if not consolidated, despite her young age,

an athlete would. Even if it should not run, she insists, "Does not go for me the world as".

Although it sounds cute, behind the affair with knitting and playing music more than just a little distraction

lies. Because it is not the only things that are addressed in Magdalena Neuner. The girl from Wallgau near

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has clear ideas. She had always wanted. Otherwise they would have done it not even as

a 18-year-old in the Biathlon World Cup, otherwise they would not have even the hype around her person after

the World Cup stopped triumphs ( "I felt like a fish in the aquarium"), and otherwise would Now they say not

even that they are already dealing with the end of his career. Although the 2018 Olympic Games take place

possibly in their home, they cannot really imagine a start in eight years. Because of this time, she has other

plans."Later I would just like to lead a life that has nothing to do with biathlon," she says - and thinks of a

profession with social background.

Even from her first Olympic start, the overall World Cup winner from 2008 clear ideas: "Clearly, I want to be

Olympic champion." And that this is probably only making a strong shooting performance, it can not long ago to

shock: "I'm often portrayed as a bad shooter, while that's not true. My technique is almost perfect." On the

other hand they also know, however: "I have had many injuries shooting." And which are not easy to get out of

my head - why Magdalena Neuner also put this point to a whole new trick. Since last summer she is working

with a shooting coach, a Mentalcoach and a brain scientist who helps the entire team by music therapy to a

higher concentration."A lot", she says, "has been worked up." Previously they had to have for visitors arriving at

the rifle range anxiety to justify himself later in the target for its mistakes. Now she just shoots - and hits more

often This Saturday it will reach out especially "I know that a victory is definitely in there " she says And if it



German gold medalist Magdalena Neuner to skip biathlon relay By Associated Press

February 22, 2010

WHISTLER, British Columbia Magdalena Neuner says she will not compete for Germany in the womens

biathlon relay, giving up a chance for a third gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics.

Neuner says shes exhausted after winning individual gold medals in the pursuit and mass start races, along with

a silver in the sprint. The 23-year-old German added that she prefers to skip the relay to give one of her

teammates a chance at a medal in the last biathlon event at the Olympics.

Aside from Neuner, the German womens team has struggled in Vancouver, with only Simone Hauswald getting

a medal. She won bronze in the mass start.

Neuner said her Olympic experience has been "incredibly stressful" but that she is "happy and satisfied" with her

results.

Germany's Neuner will not take part in biathlon relay

News Wires

February 22, 2010

Germany's double gold medallist biathlete Magdalena Neuner will not start Tuesday's Olympic biathlon relay.Neuner has taken herself out of the running for a third gold medal and said "I am finished with the Olympic

Games."

AFP - Germany's biathlon pin-up Magdalena Neuner has taken herself out of the running for a third gold medal

and given up her place for Tuesday's Olympic 4x6km biathlon relay.

The 23-year-old claimed her second gold of the Games when she won the 12.5km mass start on Sunday but

announced she would pull out of the team relay to give others a chance to medal.

"That was my last run," she said, having also won silver in the sprint and gold in the pursuit."I am finished with the Olympic Games.

"It was my decision. But I think that the other girls are all on form and want to secure a medal," she added after

admitting being jaded by the pressure of the Olympics Games.

German team attache Stefan Sschwarzberg said she had achieved more than she thought impossible.

"She has reached everything, and maybe even a bit more, than she ever dreamt of at these Olympic Games. So

she wanted to give her teammates a chance to win their own medals," he said.

Kocher and LeGuellec likely Canada's best bets for Olympic success in biathlon January 25, 2010

THE CANADIAN PRESS, 2010

"It's kind of like running up a flight of stairs as fast as you can, getting to the top and then trying to thread a

needle " says Canadian biathlete Zina Kocher



"The thing about shooting is we know how to shoot," Kocher says. "We know all the technical aspects of

shooting. That's not the difficult part. The difficult part is coming in there, knowing that you can shoot 100 per

cent and just being calm about it and doing it."

This will be Kocher's second Olympics. She finished 17th in the relay at the 2006 Turin Games and was 27th in

the individual event.

"(Turin) was such an eye-opening experience," she says. "I remember being totally overwhelmed my first race,

being so incredibly nervous. I'm sure I'm going to be really nervous come Vancouver. But it will be easier to just

let that nervousness subside slightly and be able to focus more on the task at hand."

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