A subject that actually seemed to be done in 1994 clouded the start of the season 1997/1998. Sven’s alleged cooperation with the GDR’s Ministry of State Security and his dismissal from the armed forces (his employer) in November 1997 because of that. His record, opened on account of a signature Sven had given before his first training camp in Western Europe when he was 18 years old, had already been checked before the Olympic Games in Lillehammer 1994. The director of the German Ski Federation and representatives of the armed forces had said at that time: “ … that this case must not have any consequences for Sven Fischer, because of its insignificance.” In 1995 he was even awarded the armed forces greatest decoration, the golden “Distinguished Service Cross”. – To come to a conclusion in this matter, let me say: there was demonstrably no Stasi-cooperation, Sven’s record was closed a few weeks after its opening (during times of the GDR) because of “ a lack of perspectives in cooperation”, which means that Sven wasn’t suitable as an informer. If there is anything to get out of this nasty thing, it is this: Sven was granted a demonstration of support from various sides at that time. This might be a reason, that this extreme strain didn’t do any harm to his sports performance: he even won another World Cup competition in December 1997 in Lahti.
Highlight of the season was the Olympic Games in Nagano (Japan), but disappointment spread when (for the first time in 22 years) the Germany's men team didn’t win any medal in any individual competition. Some were at the end of their tether because of the circumstances, example given the faraway biathlon venue Nazawo Onzen. Sven’s teammate Ricco Groß said about the situation: “There is no Olympic feeling out there. Strictly speaking, we are in the middle of nowhere. We have been here for three weeks now, but I haven’t seen the Olympic Village yet.” The reason for the unexpected poor results was problems with the equipment, namely the skis. Before the relay competition a “small correction with great effect” took place: the outer soles of the skis got a new grinding – and the relay team pulled off a coup. They won. Sven, as third runner, consolidated the lead up to almost one minute. It was (after Albertville and Lillehammer) the third time in row that Germany's men team won the gold medal in an Olympic relay competition. Trainer Norbert Baier was both relieved and frustrated: “We were beaten under value… It hurts very much, because they were in such a good shape.” There were World Championships in the two non-olympic competitions, pursuit and team competition. Sven became fourth in the pursuit and vice World Champion with the team.
In the end it had been a good season for Sven, though for the first time he was “only” Germany’s second best: Ricco Groß became second in the overall World Cup, Sven third. In addition to that, he won the pursuit World Cup, was second of the sprint World Cup and fourth of the individual World Cup.

© Isabel Bräuer