France delivered a powerful performance in the opening biathlon event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, capturing the gold medal in the 4 × 6 km mixed relay at the Antholz‑Anterselva Biathlon Arena in northern Italy.
The French team — comprising Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Lou Jeanmonnot and anchor Julia Simon — executed a near‑flawless race with fast skiing and precise shooting to lead from the latter stages and secure victory in a winning time of 1:04:15.5.
A Dominant Second Half
Italy, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, raced to the silver medal, finishing 25.8 seconds behind France after strong legs from veterans such as Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer.
Germany completed the podium with bronze, despite some late shooting challenges.
France pulled ahead in the second half of the race, showcasing both speed and composure under the pressure of Olympic competition — especially on the final shooting range, where France’s anchor, Julia Simon, hit all five targets to secure her nation’s gold.
Redemption from Previous Games
The French team’s win marked a strong comeback from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where they had taken silver in the mixed relay, finishing behind Norway.
Quentin Fillon Maillet, a key member of both teams, provided invaluable experience and leadership.
What This Means for France
Biathlon has long been a sport of pride for France, historically featuring world‑class athletes like Martin Fourcade and now a deep roster of emerging talent.
This gold medal — the first biathlon title awarded at the 2026 Games — gives France an early lead in both the medal standings and momentum as the Olympic biathlon schedule unfolds.
Final Results – Mixed Relay Biathlon
🥇 France — 1:04:15.5🥈 Italy — +25.8 seconds
🥉 Germany — +1:05 seconds
