Mark "Schmaler" Kirchner
Born: 04.04.1970
Mark Kirchner
CURRENT
I ended my sporting career in December 1999.
I have been a biathlon coach since 2002
and am currently the national biathlon coach.
Greatest successes
3 x Olympic gold 1992 Albertville, 1994 Lillehammer
7 x World Championship Gold 1990-1995
3 x Junior World Champion 1988/1989
1 x European Champion 1998
2 x 2nd place in the overall World Cup 1991, 1993
19 international medals
Family
Married since 1992 to Iduna
Children: Steven, Isabelle, Marc-Pascal
Grandchildren: Erwin, Enno
Motto
"The art of living is not least the ability to afford something to do something superfluous." Have fun with exercise, enjoy torturing yourself and don't take everything too seriously!
Your Oberhof
I have a very close bond with Oberhof, as I have been working there since 1982 until today. I trained in Oberhof until 1999 and have been working here since 2000.
What was your sporting career like?
- Started biathlon at the age of 6 in Scheibe-Alsbach
- 1982-1986 sports high school (KJS) in Oberhof
- since 1986 Oberhof Sports Support Group (ASK Oberhof)
- December 1999 End of career as active athlete
Who are your role models?
I don't have a particular role model. I am impressed by people who have a strong opinion, are strong-willed and are not afraid to take responsibility.
What was the most emotional moment of your sporting career?
I think when you become an Olympic champion it is certainly emotional, but I had my most emotional moments more as a coach when my athletes were successful.
What was the biggest sporting disappointment for you?
Sporting disappointments have never given me the space that they drag me down. That's why none of them has really burned itself into my memory. But not taking the opportunity to win the overall World Cup in the last race in 1993 was certainly a disappointment.
What are your goals for the future?
I would like to be in charge of the biathlon team until 2026. To develop successor coaches and athletes. To stay healthy to have time for my grandchildren.
... I spent more time there than in my hometown.
