Strange accusations against Dorothea Wierer

The Italian winter sports star’s accent is catching people’s attention.

Dorothea Wierer, 35, opens up about her treatment in Italy on the Gazzetta dello Sport podcast.

The biathlon star is saddened that his Italian identity is being questioned because of his dialect.

– I’ve had to accept it. People are used to saying things like that, so they repeat it. It’s not pleasant, but I have a strong accent. I would like to speak Italian with a softer accent, but it’s not natural for me, Wierer explains in an interview.

Wierer is from the German-speaking town of Bruneck, located in South Tyrol. Before World War I, the area belonged to Austria.

– I get offended when people say I’m not Italian. But when I try to explain the background to them, they often understand. They accept that historical facts are what they are – there’s nothing you can do about them.

The three-time world champion decided a year ago that he would continue his career until the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Wierer has competed in the Olympics three times and won three bronze medals.