Kati Wilhelm

Kati Wilhelm (born August 2, 1976 in Schmalkalden, Thuringia) is a German former professional biathlete. Like most German biathletes she is also a member of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) with the rank of master sergeant (Hauptfeldwebel). She currently resides in Steinbach-Hallenberg, also in the Federal State of Thuringia. Kati Wilhelm was born in Schmalkalden, in the Federal State of Thuringia, Germany. She started training cross-country skiing as a child in 1983 and was a member of the German cross-country ski team at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games. In 1999, while attending the Military World Games, she came into contact with biathlon and was hooked on the sport. Her decision to switch to biathlon proved to be a good one. The next year she experienced her first successes including a World Cup victory. During the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002, she was the most decorated female biathlete, winning gold medals in the 7.5 km sprint and the 4 X 6 km relay. She also won a...