France Takes Gold in the First Biathlon Race of the Winter Olympics
What gun is used in Olympic biathlon events?
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 nat…
