Fischer before start of the season
Interview from September 2003

Sven Fischer is “an old hand” in the German biathlon team and he doesn’t think about quitting. He won 2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze medal and took one fourth place at the German Championships, which took place in September and made clear that he’s well prepared for the coming season. Eurosport talked to Fischer during the German Championships in Oberhof.

Eurosport: Your previous season was full of ups and downs. Gold and silver medal at the World Championships, but only tenth place on the Total World Cup. What did you change in your preperation?
Sven: Last year’s aim clearly were the World Championships, the World Cup races were kind of “building up competitions” showing my present shape. Next season the World Championships won’t be in the end of the season, but in February as usual. So you have to train differently to be in our best shape earlier.

You look forward to two major events in February: firstly the World Championships, then your child’s birth. Which one starts to pound your heart more?
Sven: That’s obvious. Family takes first priority before sports and it starts pounding my heart more. But nevertheless sports are my job. I take things as they come and I trust in nature.

Which are your personal aims for the coming season?
Sven: I think taking part in the World Championships should be the goal. No one is on the team automatically and it will be hard work to get there. I don’t know in which competitions I will be brought into action. The World Championships will take place in Oberhof, which makes things even harder. The outcome of the season’s results will be like a qualification for the national team. In any case I want to participate in as many World Cup competitions as possible and I hope to achieve more than just places.

In your opinion, who is likely to achieve a title?
Sven: I won’t name anyone. This is to protect the one from being pressed into the position as favorite. There are about ten to fifteen athletes to be regarded as candidates. And one or the other newcomer might cause a surprise. You can never be sure about things like this in sports.

Hunting in one of your hobbies. Is that connected to your being as a biathlete or where does it come from?
Sven: It has developed since my childhood. As a child I loved being in the woods and nature with my grandfather. Later Frank Luck, who is a hunter, introduced me to hunting.

In summer you and your collegues recorded the song for the World Championships “We are on the top”. Did you like singing?
Sven: That was a real exception. We definitifly won’t emulate any superstars or perform in tv shows. That was a gag and we had fun. It was interesting being in a recording studio, that’s enough.

The interviewer was Pia Sattler