France is targeting several medals on Sunday at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, with strong chances in biathlon and speed skating. The mixed relay biathlon team, configured as a “Dream Team”, sets off at 2:05 p.m. in Anterselva, while skater Timothy Loubineaud could write the history of French sport at 4:00 p.m. At the same time, American star Lindsey Vonn will attempt the challenge of downhill despite a serious knee injury, and Norwegian Johannes Klaebo will aim for a historic feat in cross-country skiing.
The French mixed biathlon relay lines up Éric Perrot, current leader of the general classification of the World Cup, followed by Quentin Fillon Maillet, hero of the 2022 Olympics. Lou Jeanmonnot, world number 1, will then take over before passing it on to Julia Simon. Any performance other than a medal, or even gold, would be a big disappointment for the Blues, crowned in 2018 and silver medalists four years later in this discipline.
Biathlon has brought 33 medals in total, including thirteen gold, to the French winter sport at the Olympics since 2000. The selection of Julia Simon for the final relay, to the detriment of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, has remained controversial for three years following a high-profile case of fraudulent credit card use, but this has not hampered the team’s collective performance.
Loubineaud’s historic challenge
Timothy Loubineaud, a 29-year-old police officer from Gironde, could offer France its very first Olympic medal in speed skating during the 5000 meters in Rho-Milan. The skater, a new dominant figure in the distance, is currently ranked in the top 5 in the world and had established a world record on November 14 in Salt Lake City, since improved by a Czech and a Norwegian.
The French speed skating team is also starting to worry the Dutch and Canadians in the team pursuit. Beyond the 5000m, Loubineaud will also aim for the 10,000 meters on February 13 and the mass start eight days later.
date: 2026-02-08 03:28:00
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