Anterselva, Italy – The French women’s biathlon team delivered a stunning performance at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, securing gold in the 4x6km relay after a dramatic and hard-fought race. The team, comprised of Camille Bened, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Lou Jeanmonnot, and Julia Simon, overcame a challenging start to clinch victory in a thrilling finish, showcasing their resilience and precision on the shooting range.
The French team’s triumph marks another high point for French biathlon at these Games, following Julia Simon’s earlier individual gold medal. This relay victory is particularly significant, as it demonstrates the depth and strength of the French squad, solidifying their position as a dominant force in the sport. The win also brings France’s total medal count at the Milan-Cortina Olympics to [medal count to be updated as games progress – not available in sources].
The race began with Camille Bened taking the first leg for France. While Bened maintained a steady pace, the French team initially found themselves trailing behind several strong contenders, including teams from Sweden and Norway. Still, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, in the second leg, began to close the gap, demonstrating exceptional shooting accuracy and efficient skiing. Lou Jeanmonnot then took over, continuing the momentum and bringing France into contention for the lead.
It was anchor leg Julia Simon who ultimately sealed the victory. Facing a close battle with [opposing team name – not available in sources], Simon navigated the final loop with composure and precision, hitting all her targets and extending the French team’s lead. The final sprint to the finish line was a nail-biting affair, but Simon held on to secure the gold medal, sparking jubilant celebrations among the French team and supporters.
The French team’s success in the biathlon relay underscores the dedication and hard work of the athletes and their coaching staff. The team’s ability to perform under pressure, combined with their exceptional shooting skills and skiing prowess, proved to be the key to their victory. The relay win adds to the growing list of accomplishments for French athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The French delegation at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is the largest in the nation’s history, with a total of 160 athletes and 2 reserves, surpassing the previous record of 116 athletes set at the 2014 Sochi Games according to the official team France website. This impressive showing reflects France’s commitment to winter sports and its ambition to achieve success on the international stage.
Beyond the biathlon events, French athletes are also competing in a wide range of other sports, including alpine skiing, ice hockey, and figure skating. Romain Allemand, 19, is set to compete in the final of the snowboard slopestyle event, scheduled for 12:30 PM local time as reported by L’Equipe. Earlier in the day, French skiers will participate in the sprint libre par équipes, beginning at 9:45 AM.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, running from February 6th to 22nd, are being held across three Italian regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige. Events are taking place in iconic locations such as San Siro (Milan) for the opening ceremony and the Arena di Verona for the closing ceremony. Fans can follow all the action on France Télévisions and Eurosport.
Looking ahead, the French team will aim to build on this momentum and continue to compete at the highest level throughout the remainder of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The success of the biathlon relay serves as a source of inspiration for all French athletes as they strive for further glory on the Italian slopes and ice.
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