Biathlon JO 2026: Schedule, Results & French Athletes to Watch
- The biathlon competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is rapidly establishing itself as a highlight of the Games, with France leading the medal charge.
- Sunday, February 15, features the men’s and women’s pursuit races, promising another thrilling day of competition.
- Leading the French charge is Quentin Fillon Maillet, who recently added to his impressive Olympic medal count with a gold in the men’s 10km sprint.
The biathlon competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is rapidly establishing itself as a highlight of the Games, with France leading the medal charge. Through five events, the French team has already secured seven medals, including three golds, signaling a potential breakthrough performance for the nation’s biathletes.
Sunday, , features the men’s and women’s pursuit races, promising another thrilling day of competition. The pursuit events build upon the results of the sprint races, with athletes starting based on their sprint finish times, adding a layer of strategic complexity to the already demanding combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
Leading the French charge is Quentin Fillon Maillet, who recently added to his impressive Olympic medal count with a gold in the men’s 10km sprint. This seventh Olympic medal underscores his status as a dominant force in the sport. On the women’s side, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet is a strong contender, having demonstrated excellent form leading into the Games, including a World Cup victory in the 12.5km short individual on .
The retirements of several prominent biathletes, including Marte Olsbu Røiseland and Denise Herrmann-Wick, have opened up opportunities for new champions to emerge. Braisaz-Bouchet, a five-time world champion, is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift, particularly in the mass start event, where she previously secured a gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. Her compatriot, Lou Jeanmonnot, is also making waves, currently leading the World Cup standings in several disciplines and making her Olympic debut at Milano Cortina.
The French team’s success isn’t limited to these two stars. The potential for a strong showing in the women’s relay is significantly boosted by the Jeanmonnot–Braisaz-Bouchet pairing. Franziska Preuß is also one to watch, though the provided sources do not detail her current form or specific expectations.
The French delegation boasts a total of 160 athletes competing across nearly all disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games, reflecting a broad commitment to winter sports excellence. The team is aiming to surpass their previous best medal haul of 15, achieved at both the Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. The proximity of Italy is seen as an advantage, creating a near-home atmosphere for the French athletes.
The full French biathlon team includes Fabien Claude, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Émilien Jacquelin, Éric Perrot, and Lou Jeanmonnot for the women. Camille Bened, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Océane Michelon, Julia Simon, and Jeanne Richard complete the women’s roster.
The biathlon schedule continues with the following events:
- : Men’s 20km Individual
- : Women’s 15km Individual
- : Men’s 10km Sprint
- : Women’s 7.5km Sprint
- : Men’s 12.5km Pursuit
- : Women’s 10km Pursuit
- : Men’s 4 x 7.5km Relay
- : Women’s 4 x 6km Relay
- : Men’s 15km Mass Start
- : Women’s 12.5km Mass Start
The pursuit races on are set to be pivotal moments in the biathlon competition, with the French team poised to continue their impressive run and potentially add to their already substantial medal tally. The combination of strong individual performances and a cohesive team dynamic positions France as a leading contender for overall success at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.