Biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Schedule, Athletes, and Recent Drama
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will showcase the world’s top biathlon athletes from February 6-22, 2026.1 While traditionally more popular in Europe, the sport has garnered increased attention recently due to off-field controversies.
What is Biathlon?
Biathlon combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting, making it a physically and mentally demanding sport.3 All biathlon events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will grab place at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena (as well known as Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena) in Rasen-Antholz, South Tyrol, Italy.3 The venue, recently renovated, can hold up to 19,000 spectators.3
2026 Olympic Biathlon Schedule
The biathlon competition begins on February 8, 2026, with the mixed 4x6km relay event.2 The program includes 11 medal events: 5 for men, 5 for women, and 1 mixed relay.3 The official schedule is available on the Olympic website and will be updated to reflect any changes.2 All times are listed in Central European Time (CET, UTC+1).3
Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics
Canada will be represented by eight biathletes, with seven making their Olympic debut.2 Adam Runnalls is the only returning Olympian for Canada.2 Canada’s highest finish to date has been 17th place in the mixed 4x6km relay and Pascale Paradis’ 24th place finish in the individual women’s 15km.2
Recent Controversies
The lead-up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics has been marked by several controversies within the biathlon community. Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Laegreid admitted to cheating on his ex-girlfriend in a post-race interview after winning a bronze medal.2 French biathlete Julia Simon won a gold medal despite a previous conviction for credit card fraud.2 Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler was initially suspended for a doping violation but was later cleared to compete after successfully appealing the decision.2
Impact on Viewership
Despite the controversies, or perhaps because of them, CBC platforms have seen a 140% increase in streams related to biathlon compared to the 2022 Beijing Olympics.2 It remains to be seen whether this increased interest will continue beyond the 2026 Games.
Looking Ahead
Biathlon Canada is undergoing a transition with changes in coaching staff, high-performance directors, and general management.2 Funding changes from Sport Canada have also presented challenges for athletes attending World Cup tours.2 The 2026 Winter Olympics promise to be a compelling event for biathlon fans, both for the athletic competition and the surrounding drama.
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