The city leader plans to rechristen the park in honor of Dahlmeier.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Rename Park in Honour of Late Biathlete Laura Dahlmeier
In the wake of the tragic passing of former biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, the municipality of Garmisch-Partenkirchen has taken steps to commemorate her legacy. The plan to rename the Kurpark as the Laura-Dahlmeier-Park is currently underway, with the proposal set to be presented to the town council in September 2025 [1].
This decision comes in agreement with Dahlmeier's family, who have been closely involved in the process. A temporary memorial site has already been established in the park, featuring a wooden stele with Dahlmeier’s photo, a candle, and a stone from the local mountains. This memorial was created in close collaboration with her family and serves as a place for public mourning and remembrance [1].
In addition to the temporary memorial, a condolence book has been introduced by the municipality to allow residents to express their memories and condolences [1]. This book is separate from the memorial site and can be found on the municipality's website. The condolence book will be collected by the employees of the town hall and handed over to Dahlmeier's family.
The condolence book is an additional way for people to show their support and condolences for Dahlmeier and her family. The mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Elisabeth Koch, described Dahlmeier as a "highly respected and lovable personality" [1].
Initially, public memorials were only to be made at the family's request, but as community support grew, the municipality adopted a more proactive stance in commemorating Dahlmeier [1]. The condolence book is a new initiative by the municipality to commemorate Dahlmeier.
The German Press Agency confirmed the plan to name a park after Dahlmeier following her death. The memorial site in the Partenkirchen Kurpark includes a photo on a wooden stele, a lantern, and a stone from local mountains with a plaque. The municipality encourages people to share their condolences, as the sudden death of Dahlmeier has touched many people.
The condolence book and temporary memorial site provide a space for the community to remember and honour the life of Laura Dahlmeier. The renaming of the park will further cement her legacy in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
[1] Source: German Press Agency (DPA)
Other sports, such as football and various European leagues, might consider following Garmisch-Partenkirchen's lead, creating memorials or tributes for their champions, much like the Laura-Dahlmeier-Park for the late biathlete. A sports-analysis segment could explore how such gestures may impact the morale and performance of current athletes, providing a sense of community solidarity. The growing wave of public support for commemorating athletes could lead to a trend of honoring champions across different sports.
