Magdalena Neuner has worked as an ARD expert for many years.
© Rolf Kosecki / imago-images
Magdalena Neuner won’t be there as an ARD expert next winter. Another German Olympic champion in biathlon takes over.
Munich – The new winter sports season has begun, and ARD has announced a change of expert position. Two-time Olympic champion Magdalena Neuner is currently unavailable due to her broken baby, which is why public radio has tried to find an equivalent replacement. In the future, the 34-year-old will be replaced by a newly retired athlete who also won a gold medal at the Olympics: Arnd Peiffer.
ARD: Biathlon star Arnd Peiffer replaces TV expert Magdalena Neuner – ‘one of the brightest minds in winter sports’
The 34-year-old, who recently announced his future career plan for the end of his career, will join the “Sportschau” team of experts next season, ARD announced in a statement on Thursday. Alternating with former female athlete Katie Wilhelm, Beaver will analyze the performance of his former teammates and opponents in broadcast biathlon.
ARD is already eyeing an outstanding newcomer. “With Arnd Peiffer, we are not only gaining one of the brightest minds in winter sports for our team, but are now also in the highest people position with him, Kati Wilhelm, Felix Neureuther and Sven Hannawald as an Olympic Winter Expert,” the letter quoted ARD-Sport Coordinator Axel Balkowski.
The RBB (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg) is responsible for broadcasting the biathlon during the winter sports season, and Katie Günther, the broadcaster’s sporting director, welcomed the new expert. “Arnd Peiffer was our favorite for the expert position when it became clear that Magdalena Neuner would not be available for this season. We are really excited about the energy with which he dedicates himself to this new challenge.”
ARD: Arnd Peiffer is becoming a new TV expert – five-time world champion wants to ‘stay very close’
For his new side job, the man from Lower Saxony will likely have to take a day or two off with his actual employer. The five-time world champion, who ended his sports career only in the spring, usually works in the FBI.
Wolfenbütteler is already looking forward to his new job. “For me, it is great that after twelve years as an active participant in the World Cup, I can continue to be so close in this way. I have always been fascinated by the analytical aspects of our sport and I look forward to immersing myself in the competitions with the spectators.”
However, Peiffer fans will have to wait a bit before the TV premiere, as the Olympic sprint champion from Pyeongchang will make his debut at the beginning of December. At the Biathlon World Cup in Östersund, Sweden on December 2, broadcaster Michael Antwerps will help. (the wages)
