Kati Wilhelm

Kati Wilhelm is a German former professional biathlete, born on 2 August 1976 in Schmalkalden, then in East Germany. She began cross-country skiing as a child in 1983 and skied for the German team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, then came to biathlon in 1999 after meeting the sport at the Military World Games. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Games she was the most decorated female biathlete, winning gold in the 7.5 kilometre sprint and the 4 by 6 kilometre relay and silver in the 10 kilometre pursuit. She carried the German flag at the 2006 Turin opening ceremony, won a third Olympic gold in the 10 kilometre pursuit and dominated the 2005 to 2006 World Cup season, taking the overall trophy. She has 21 individual World Cup wins and retired after the 2009 to 2010 season. Like most German biathletes she served in the Bundeswehr.