The Sound of Biathlon
Every January, the small town of Oberhof transforms as it becomes the traditional first stop of the biathlon calendar in the new year. It evolves into a world-class stage, hosting fans from across the globe who gather to witness the World Cup at the arena perched high in the Thuringian Forest. Amidst a stunning natural landscape, thousands of people come together to cheer for their stars, celebrate, and enjoy a sense of connection and shared excitement that few things can facilitate as powerfully as sporting events. But not everyone is able to participate in this experience on equal terms.
Holger Meier understands this gap. For more than a decade, he has travelled to Oberhof every year to ensure that visually impaired fans can share in the unique atmosphere of the World Cup races. As a volunteer or how he is called „audio-helper," he has worked to bridge the divide between the visual action on the track and the fans who rely on sound to "see" the race. In a sense, he quite literally lends his eyes to those who cannot see, giving orientation and making emotion, tension, and atmosphere immediately tangible.
Holger was facilitating live audio descriptions at the biathlon long before the existence of LiveVoice. However, in the summer of 2023, he discovered the platform and saw its potential. Yet, his decision to adopt LiveVoice was not taken lightly. He conducted extensive testing to determine whether the technology could meet both his standards and the demanding conditions of a live stadium environment.
Ultimately, he was convinced. He generously shared his detailed results with us, and we believe they provide a valuable look at the factors he took into consideration in the process of evaluation.
”I can no longer imagine providing vivid audio descriptions at the Biathlon World Cup for visually impaired fans without the LiveVoice app. Its reliability, low latency, ease of use, and the freedom to operate without spatial limitations make it irreplaceable for me.”
Holger has now used LiveVoice for three consecutive years, proving the platform could meet his long-term needs. The following details explain how he reached that conclusion:
The Set-Up
Holger’s setup is precise. From a soundproof TV container inside the arena, he narrates the action using a high-quality microphone connected to an audio interface, feeding the signal into his laptop. A wired Internet connection ensures that the live commentary reaches listeners’ smartphones over 4G – far more reliable than WiFi, which he tested but found a bit unstable.
Accessibility & Usability
Fans receive a pre-sent invitation link, download the app and connect effortlessly. Seven participants in his test/sample represented a variety of devices and manufacturers – none encountered technical problems.
“One of the biggest advantages of the LiveVoice system is that the audio description can be followed from anywhere in the arena. While many listeners watch the races from the accessibility grandstand, others prefer to sit with friends in different parts of the stadium and still receive the live commentary on their phones.”
App Design
LiveVoice allowed Holger to easily customize the interface with logos and images, giving it a polished, professional appearance without complicating the workflow.
Reliability
The wired Internet connection for him as speaker proved essential. Pre-tests with WiFi revealed occasional dropouts, confirming that cable connections are the most dependable option for live sports coverage according to Holger. Now, three years after the initial testing phase, he says:
"I haven’t experienced any significant disruptions in the past three years. From my perspective, the app has proven to be extremely reliable."
Audio Quality
Despite the roaring stadium, the combination of microphone and audio interface delivered clear, intelligible commentary. Lower-quality microphones, such as those directly connected to phones, would not have fared as well.
Latency
With a delay of only 0.5–1 seconds LiveVoice provides an experience that is needed for a real-time situation like a sports event. And for Holger, this is of uttermost importance. As he explains:
"This (the low latency) is one of the biggest advantages. At biathlon, it’s crucial that I announce each shot immediately so fans can follow and feel the excitement as it happens."
Cost vs. Benefit
With LiveVoices’ reasonable pricing, Holger is able to offer a reliable and accessible live narration without needing a large budget.
Making the biathlon experience truly inclusive: Holger Meier’s impact
By bridging the gap between the track and the listener, Holger does more than describe a race; he facilitates a sense of belonging. For the third year running, LiveVoice has served as the backbone for this mission in Oberhof. Since 2025, he has also been providing live audio description at the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding, extending his work to even more fans. It is a partnership that proves that when thoughtful technology meets a dedicated vision, the "spectacle" of sport finally belongs to everyone.
And we were happy to see that Holger’s long-standing commitment has not gone unnoticed. During the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof in January 2026, the District Administrator Peggy Greiser awarded him the Honorary Medal of the District, recognizing his extraordinary voluntary engagement on behalf of visually impaired biathlon fans. The award honors not only his dedication, but also the real participation he enables - together with the World Cup organizers - as a living example of inclusion in action. Over the years, Holger has given countless people unforgettable moments and the feeling of truly being part of the event, right in the heart of the action.
For those curious to see Holger Meier in action: Inklusions TV - a German web TV channel that streams events and talks on the topic of inclusion - was on site in Oberhof to interview him and members of the visually impaired audience.
