Lena gets it all knitted together for Olympic gold (News Feature)

By John Bagratuni Feb 16, 2010, 23:28 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Germany's latest sports icon Magdalena Neuner states knitting and playing the harp among her favourite pastimes.

And when things are not going well in her sport of biathlon 'Lena' chooses to bake biscuits instead of training.

But don't make any mistakes: Neuner will grab every opportunity to jump on a biathlon podium, as shown at the Olympics where she got her first gold on Tuesday in the pursuit after silver in the sprint on Saturday.

Despite turning 23 only last week, Neuner has effectively won everything possible in her sport: seven world titles from 2007 onwards, the overall World Cup in 2008 and now Olympic gold.

'I have achieved everything, everything from now on is a bonus. But I am still highly motivated,' she told a scrum of reporters.

Tuesday's gold virtually assures her of another German Athlete of the Year award she got for the first time in 2007 after bursting onto the scene with three world titles.

Neuner, who lives in Bavaria, has been frequently named a legitimate heir to past icons Steffi Graf and Franziska van Almsick, particularly as biathlon enjoys a huge following in Germany.

The Olympic gold ahead of Slovakia's Anastasiya Kuzmina was the fulfilling of a life-long dream.

'It is a great feeling to be Olympic champion. I had a very big dream and now it has come true,' said Neuner.

The Whistler medals came after a moderate start into the season but Neuner was undeterred and got her first two season wins in January.

'I always knew I would be good. I made Christmas biscuits when the others were training,' she said.

Coach Uwe Muessiggang praises this attitude of his current star: 'Lena reacts well to illness or when things don't go well. She knows what to do, she is very professional.'

German Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach praised Neuner as well, saying 'That's what Olympic champions are made of.'

While she did miss twice on Tuesday, Neuner has vastly improved her skills with the rifle in the shooting range which are now almost on par with her almost unrivalled skiing.

She attributes this to successful mental training rather than older age.

'It has nothing to do with age. One has to understand that physical fitness alone is not sufficient. My mental training is very complex and it makes me believe in myself,' she said.

However, the nerves came when Neuner, confronted with her biggest career moment, missed the final target.

'I was calm into the final shooting. But ahead of the last shot I thought I will be Olympic champion if I hit it. It is amazing how much you can think in a few seconds,' Neuner said.

But the concern was not too big, given her skiing, and according to Neuner only showed that she can even be better in the future.

'Although I am quite good I am not a complete professional yet,' said said moderately.

That should serve as a threat to all others, and, even though she evaded the question and doesn't want to be the number one in a star-studded team featuring the likes of Kati Wilhelm and Andrea Henkel, Neuner must be a contender in all the other three races as well.

'I really do not want to think about this,' she said.