France Claims Olympic Gold in Women's Biathlon Relay Comeback

France claimed Olympic gold in the women's 4x6km biathlon relay at Milano Cortina 2026, delivering a stunning comeback performance in Antholz.

The French quartet of Camille Bened, Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon and Julia Simon produced an exceptional race to climb from outside medal contention to the top of the podium. The victory marks France's tenth medal at these Winter Olympics and continues their dominant form in biathlon competition.

The relay format demands both shooting precision and skiing speed across four legs, with each athlete completing a 6km course including prone and standing shooting stages. France's ability to execute under pressure proved decisive as they overcame earlier deficits to secure the gold medal.

French Biathlon Relay Dominance Continues

This Olympic gold adds to France's impressive biathlon legacy at major championships. The women's relay team has established itself as one of the most consistent units in international competition, combining strong individual performers with excellent team cohesion.

Julia Simon, anchoring the final leg, brought the team home in first position, capping a remarkable collective effort. Lou Jeanmonnot and Océane Michelon provided crucial middle legs, while Camille Bened set the foundation despite an early deficit.

Tenth Medal Milestone for France

The relay gold represents France's tenth medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, underlining their status as one of the Games' strongest performing nations. Biathlon has been a particularly fruitful discipline for the French delegation, with multiple podium finishes across both individual and team events.

The victory in Antholz will be remembered as one of the defining moments of France's Olympic campaign, showcasing the depth and quality of their biathlon program on the sport's biggest stage.