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Friday, October 16, 2026

Biathlon

Lou Jeanmonnot Claims First Olympic Gold in Mixed Relay Victory

Lou Jeanmonnot claimed her first Olympic gold medal as France triumphed in the mixed relay at Milano Cortina 2026.

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Lou Jeanmonnot
Photo: Steffen Prößdorf / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lou Jeanmonnot claimed her first Olympic gold medal as France triumphed in the mixed relay at Milano Cortina 2026.

The French biathlete achieved a milestone moment in her career, capturing Olympic gold in what marks a perfect start to the 2026 Winter Games for the French team. Jeanmonnot's victory in the mixed relay represents her first Olympic medal, adding to her impressive World Cup achievements.

The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics have begun with French success, as the biathlon team delivered a commanding performance in the mixed relay event. For Jeanmonnot, who has established herself as a consistent winner on the World Cup circuit, this Olympic triumph represents the pinnacle of her achievements to date.

Family Support at Milano Cortina

Jeanmonnot's Olympic debut was made even more special by the presence of her family, who traveled to Italy to witness this historic moment. Her parents and sister were in attendance to support her first Olympic race, creating an emotional atmosphere for the French team's golden performance.

Speaking after the victory, Jeanmonnot's sister expressed her excitement at witnessing the achievement firsthand. "It's crazy to be able to be here and see this live," she said. "It makes me happy and it gets the Games off to a good start. It can only be good for what's to come."

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Olympic Gold Different from World Cup Success

While Jeanmonnot has proven herself as a regular winner on the World Cup circuit, her family emphasized the unique significance of Olympic success. "She's used to winning in the World Cup, but this one is even more beautiful," her sister noted, highlighting the special nature of Olympic competition.

The emotional weight of the moment was evident, with family members acknowledging the four-year cycle that makes Olympic medals so precious. "It's completely different, the Games are every four years. Even if the opponents are the same, it's not the same medal," they explained.

The collective nature of the relay victory added another dimension to the achievement, with the team's success representing a shared triumph that launches France's campaign at Milano Cortina 2026 on the highest possible note.

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