Milano Cortina 2026: France Secures Historic Double Gold in Biathlon Relays

ANTHOLZ-ANTERSELVA, 18 February 2026 – The French biathlon delegation has cemented its dominance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, completing a historic “Grand Slam” of relay titles. Following the men’s maiden relay gold on Tuesday, the French women’s team secured their own Olympic title today, 18 February, at the Südtirol Arena.

French Women Dominate the 4x6km Relay

The French quartet of Camille Bened, Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, and Julia Simon delivered a masterclass in marksmanship and skiing speed to claim gold in the women’s 4x6km relay. Entering the race as favourites, the team finished with a time of 1:10:22.7, finishing more than 50 seconds ahead of silver medallists Sweden. Norway claimed the bronze medal, trailing by over a minute.

Julia Simon, skiing the anchor leg, maintained a composed presence on the shooting range, requiring only minimal spare rounds to secure the victory. This win follows a series of strong performances for the French women in the individual events earlier in the programme.

Historic First for the Men’s Team

The women’s success follows a landmark achievement by the French men’s team on Tuesday, 17 February. The squad, comprising Fabien Claude, Emilien Jacquelin, Quentin Fillon Maillet, and Eric Perrot, won France’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s 4×7.5km relay. In a dramatic race, the team recovered from a difficult first leg to overtake Norway in the final stages, winning by a margin of less than 10 seconds.

This victory was particularly significant as it pushed France to a new national record of 16 medals in a single Winter Olympiad, surpassing the previous record set at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

Key Results: Milano Cortina 2026 Biathlon Relays

Olympic Biathlon History and Context

Biathlon has been a staple of the Winter Olympic programme since the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley, California. While the sport has roots in 18th-century Scandinavian military traditions, it has evolved into one of the most-watched televised events of the Winter Games. The 2026 edition in Antholz-Anterselva—a traditional powerhouse venue on the World Cup circuit—has highlighted the current shift in power, with France and Norway dominating the medal table while traditional contenders like Italy and Germany have faced greater challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did women’s biathlon become an Olympic sport?

While men’s biathlon debuted in 1960, women’s events were officially added to the Olympic programme later, making their first appearance at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

How many bullets are used in a biathlon relay?

In relay events, each athlete must hit five targets in two shooting bouts (one prone, one standing). They are allowed three spare bullets per bout, which must be loaded manually if needed. If targets remain standing after eight shots, the athlete must ski a 150-metre penalty loop for each missed target.

Where are the 2026 biathlon events being held?

The biathlon competitions for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games are held at the Südtirol Arena in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy, a venue located at an altitude of approximately 1,600 metres.