Bernd Eisenbichler has been announced as the new sports director of the German biathlon team, taking over on May 1. He is returning to the Deutscher Skiverband (German Ski Association) after a four-year hiatus, during which he was last affiliated with the organization from 2019 to 2022. Eisenbichler replaces Felix Bitterling and will soon transition to the International Biathlon Union (IBU) after this winter.

Eisenbichler, now 48, previously managed the biathlon team during a successful period marked by athletes like Denise Herrmann-Wick and Arnd Peiffer. His new appointment comes at a crucial time for the association, especially following recent disappointments at the Olympic Games. With the retirement of Franziska Preuß, Eisenbichler faces a challenging task ahead as he aims to revitalize the German biathlon program.

In his statement, Eisenbichler emphasized the need for collaboration with all stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. His goal is to ensure that the German team maintains its competitiveness at the highest levels while also fostering success in the next generation of biathletes. The focus will be on sustaining excellence both internationally and in youth programs, setting ambitious goals for the future of German biathlon.