Émilien Jacquelin Secures Historic Gold and Bronze at 2026 Winter Olympics
ANTERSELVA, 20 February 2026 – French biathlon star Émilien Jacquelin has cemented his legacy at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, playing a pivotal role in France’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s 4×7.5km relay and claiming a hard-fought bronze in the pursuit.
A Masterclass in the Men’s Relay
In a historic showdown at the Südtirol Arena, the French quartet of Fabien Claude, Émilien Jacquelin, Quentin Fillon Maillet, and Eric Perrot captured the gold medal in the men’s 4×7.5km relay. The victory marked a significant milestone for French biathlon, as it was the nation’s first Olympic title in this specific event.
Jacquelin’s performance during the second leg was described by observers as “legendary.” After teammate Fabien Claude struggled with a penalty lap that left France in 20th position, Jacquelin produced a blistering ski leg and clinical shooting to haul the team back into contention. His efforts allowed France to eventually overtake Norway, finishing with a total time of 1:19:55.2.
Individual Success in the Pursuit
Beyond the team triumph, Jacquelin secured his first individual Olympic medal in the 12.5km pursuit. Despite two penalties in the final shooting stage, the 30-year-old Frenchman displayed his trademark “rapid-fire” technique to stay in the hunt, ultimately crossing the line to take the bronze medal. The race was won by Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma, with Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid taking silver.
The bronze medal served as redemption for Jacquelin, who had narrowly missed the podium in the 10km sprint just days earlier, finishing fourth by a mere 0.2 seconds behind Lægreid. Speaking after the pursuit, Jacquelin expressed immense pride in his performance, stating that he was “comfited” to have stayed true to his aggressive racing style.
Émilien Jacquelin: Career Honours
| Event | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina) | Gold (Men’s Relay), Bronze (Pursuit) |
| 2022 Winter Olympics (Beijing) | Silver (Men’s Relay), Silver (Mixed Relay) |
| IBU World Championships | 2x Pursuit World Champion (2020, 2021) |
| World Cup Debut | 2017 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Olympic medals does Émilien Jacquelin have?
Following the 2026 Winter Olympics, Émilien Jacquelin has four Olympic medals: one gold (2026 Relay), two silvers (2022 Relay and Mixed Relay), and one bronze (2026 Pursuit).
What is Émilien Jacquelin’s shooting style?
Jacquelin is renowned in the biathlon world for his “rapid-fire” standing shooting. He often takes risks by shooting much faster than his competitors, a high-stakes strategy that has led him to multiple World Championship titles.
Who were Jacquelin’s teammates in the 2026 gold medal relay?
The gold-winning French relay team consisted of Fabien Claude, Émilien Jacquelin, Quentin Fillon Maillet, and Eric Perrot.