Milan-Cortina 2026: French Biathlon Team Aims for Fifth Olympic Title
In a remarkable display of talent and teamwork, the French biathlon team celebrated their fifth Olympic title at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. The relay team, consisting of Camille Bened, Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, and Julia Simon, dominated the competition in the women’s relay event. This victory has brought France’s total medal count to ten, including six golds, marking their best performance in a single Winter Olympics.
Historic Achievements for French Biathlon
The French biathlon squad has now secured an impressive total of six Olympic titles at Milan-Cortina. This exceeds their previous record of five gold medals achieved in both PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. Overall, France has amassed 17 medals across all categories in this edition of the Winter Games, surpassing their previous high.
The Road to Victory
- Julia Simon achieved two golds, in both the mixed relay and the individual 15 km event.
- Simon joins the elite ranks of French athletes like Jean-Claude Killy and Martin Fourcade as a triple Olympic champion in one edition.
- The women’s relay marked the second Olympic gold for French women’s biathlon, following the pioneering team in 1992.
The relay took place at Anterselva, a high-altitude venue in northern Italy, standing at 1,600 meters above sea level. The French team showed exceptional skill, winning all three relay events during these Games: mixed, men’s, and women’s. Their stellar performance reflects their dominance in the sport.
Moving Past Challenges
Before the relay, there were some concerns regarding Julia Simon’s health and the team’s dynamic after replacing Justine Braisaz-Bouchet with Camille Bened, who had to overcome an early penalty after a challenging shooting round. Nevertheless, the team maintained a commanding lead. Lou Jeanmonnot, leading in the World Cup, brought the team to the front, while Océane Michelon earned a significant advantage for Simon.
Coach’s Praise and Future Prospects
Jean-Marc Chabloz, the coach for Sweden’s team, acknowledged the superior performance of the French team, stating that they performed exceptionally well despite the challenges. With this title, the French women’s team has successfully put past controversies behind them, emerging as a powerful force in Olympic biathlon.
The successful outing in Milan-Cortina not only enhances the legacy of French biathlon but also sets a strong foundation for future competitions. The team’s remarkable achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
