Czech biathlete Markéta Davidová has announced that she will conclude her competitive season after the Winter Olympics held in Italy. Currently in Anterselva as a replacement for the mixed relay scheduled for Wednesday, Davidová will not participate in any further events of the World Cup series in Kontiolahti, Otepää, and Oslo. This decision follows discussions led by the sports director of the Czech Biathlon Union, Ondřej Rybář, who emphasized that the Olympics will mark the end of the season for Davidová, after which she will undergo necessary medical examinations to assess her condition.

At the age of 29, Davidová had previously undergone surgery for a herniated disc last year, and has faced recurring back pain since January, which resulted in her missing two World Cup events in Ruhpolding and Nové Město na Moravě. Though she returned to competition last week in the mixed relay at the Olympics, her performance in the following sprint event, where she finished in 81st place, indicates that her physical condition may still be affecting her performance levels. Rybář's remarks suggest that the time following the Olympics will be crucial for determining Davidová's future in the sport.

This decision reflects not only the personal health challenges faced by athletes but also the increasing awareness within competitive sports regarding the importance of addressing health and recovery. Davidová's situation may resonate with other athletes who are balancing competitive ambitions with their physical well-being, and highlights the need for comprehensive support systems for athletes dealing with such issues as they pursue their careers in demanding sports like biathlon.