Sophie Chauveau is forced to pause her career before pre-season preparations are fully underway.

The biathlon talent won gold and three bronze medals at the Biathlon European Championships in Sjusjøen last winter. She also finished fourth overall in the IBU Cup. 

Now, Sophie Chauveau will have to pause her pre-season training indefinitely.

Crash with loose dog

It was during a training ride on her road bike in Prémanon in the Alps last weekend that the 27-year-old French athlete was thrown violently over the handlebars when a loose dog suddenly ran into the road right in front of her.

“On a downhill stretch, a dog running loose crossed the road just as I was approaching… and then came the impact,” the biathlete recounted on social media. 

“My head hit first (thank goodness for the helmet 🙏), but my body followed. I lost consciousness, went to the emergency room…”

Examinations at the hospital revealed that she escaped without serious fractures, but Chauveau still suffered significant injuries.

“The diagnosis was ultimately reassuring: no major fracture, but a significant concussion that will require some time and a few other minor issues to manage,” she stated. 

Also Read: “I finally see light at the end of the tunnel”

Out indefinitely

The biathlon talent was participating in the national team’s first training camp of the season when the accident occurred. Although Chauveau seems to have avoided any major lasting injuries, she will need to take a long break from training.

“Now, there’s no choice: plenty of rest, recovery, and a gradual return when the time is right,” she said. 

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