German Biathlon Sport Director Felix Bitterling has strongly condemned the surge of hateful messages and excessive media criticism directed at the team following their underwhelming Olympic performances in South Tyrol. Bitterling stated that hundreds of hate messages are being directed at the athletes and staff, calling it "unacceptable" and "below the belt," while emphasizing that constructive criticism is welcome but personal insults and threats are not. The German men's team finished the Winter Games without a medal for the second consecutive Olympics, and the women's team is also at risk of a historically poor showing, with only one bronze medal secured so far in the mixed relay. Bitterling also pushed back against media narratives of the sport's demise, suggesting that sensationalist headlines fuel the online hate.