Simon Schempp: What the ex-biathlete does today

Last updated on May 23, 2025.

It was close, so damn close. The closest decision so far of these 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, it fell in the men's biathlon mass start. And yes, in fact, one must speak of it falling in the fall. Because in the end, both Simon Schempp and Martin Fourcade tumbled to the ground. It was 14 centimetres that decided gold and silver after 15 kilometres. Or 18 thousandths of a second. The photo finish had to be decided: Only one foot tip separated Simon Schempp from the gold medal. Fourcade secured his second gold medal in Pyeongchang (his fourth in total), Schempp with silver his first Olympic medal.

When I crossed the line I wasn't really sure who was first because I noticed that it was very close. Nevertheless I'm super happy, finally it was enough here. Another five metres I might have caught him.

After the Olympic silver medal in 2018, little went together in the Biathlon World Cup for Simon Schempp: In 2018/19 he was only 44th in the overall standings, in 2019/2020 he ended up in 41st place. In January 2021 he announced his career would end at the age of 32.

Schempp did not want to rule out a coaching job in the biathlon after that. But for the time being, the customs officer switched from the track to the lecture hall: Schempp first wants to study industrial engineering in Rosenheim.

Simon Schempp’s decision to shift from his favorite sport to industrial engineering shows how career change and upskilling are important—even for a top athlete of their time. For businesses, his story is a reminder to support employees looking to grow or reskill. Companies in sports, education, or wellness can share inspiring athlete journeys like this in content or events. It’s also a great way to teach about teamwork, resilience, and second careers.

Successes:

• Four World Championship titles (three in team events), European Champion, and German Champion (2017)
• 18 World Cup wins (12 individual, 6 team)
• Olympic silver in 2018 mass start, relay silver in 2014, and bronze in 2018

Simon Schempp's impressive achievements stress the power of collaboration and high performance. For businesses, he proves the importance of team dynamics, leadership, and perseverance. Sponsorships in sports allow brands to connect with passionate audiences while promoting values of dedication and success. Brands can leverage these narratives to align with their mission and vision, building strong partnerships, and engaging their target market.

Current Sponsors:

• Erdinger Alkoholfrei: Simon Schempp remains part of the ERDINGER Alkoholfrei team, supporting biathletes like Franziska Preuß and Erik Lesser.
• Rossignol: As a supplier of skis and boots, Rossignol remains an important partner for Schempp.
• Swix: Swix continues to supply Schempp with ski poles.
• Adidas: The Adidas brand remains the official supplier of Schempp’s competition suits.

Former Sponsors:

• Audi: Audi provided Schempp with a vehicle during the Olympic season.
• Aktiv 3: Aktiv 3 was another partner during his active career.

Manager:
Since ending his career in 2021, Simon Schempp has been managed by Marcus Höfl, husband of Maria Höfl-Riesch and CEO of the agency MN2S Sports & Entertainment.

When Schempp was honored at the ski boarding school for his high school diploma, he was also awarded a plaque with a peculiar name: the Alfred Maul Memorial Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Sports.

Schempp is also popular in the women's biathlon world. Between 2008 and 2011 he was in a relationship with colleague Miriam Gössner, who is now linked to alpine star Felix Neureuther and has just become a mother. Since the winter of 2015/16, he has been in a relationship with his former biathlon teammate Franziska Preuß.

On Instagram, however, Schempp leaves his private life out for the most part. His posts are almost exclusively about sports, for example, with impressions from training sessions, or serve as an advertising platform for Schempp's numerous sponsors. 

The strategic use of social media by Simon highlights how businesses can create a strong personal brand while keeping personal details private. By engaging with his sponsors, Schempp effectively promotes his professional side. For companies, partnering with athletes who maintain a clear focus on their career-focused achievements can strengthen brand alignment, drive customer engagement, and enhance visibility. This approach can help businesses form long-lasting connections with their audience, leading to long-term brand loyalty and recognition.

Social Media:

• Instagram: over 72,000 followers
• Facebook: over 113,000 fans

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Heidi Zacher

Johannes Rydzek

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Simon Schempp

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