2026 Olympic Games | Biathlon: Tommaso Giacomel behind his two compatriots Lukas Hofer and Nicola Romanin
It wasn‘t an easy day for Tommaso Giacomel. With three errors on the shooting range during the sprint at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, the Italian was unable to compete with the other favourites and finished a timid twenty-second. Before entering the mixed zone, he needed a few moments to himself to gather his thoughts and digest what had just happened, before appearing before the media.
I failed,” he commented, with tears in his eyes and a downcast look in his eyes, speaking to Fondo Italia. I think it was the event that suited me best. I’m very disappointed. A big disappointment for the man who is the world cup leader in this speciality, and who has already won and finished second in this format.
“I can’t hope to take a minute and a half off the leader”.Tommaso Giacomel ready for the chase
At the end of the race, the 25-year-old finished third in Italy behind Lukas Hofer in thirteenth and Nicola Romanin in sixteenth. A leadership role that weighs on him all the more when he fails: “I think the worst thing is to arrive here among the favourites and perform so badly. It makes me very angry. I have no idea what I did wrong in the prone shot.
Saddened and lacking answers about his mistakes, he is now looking ahead to Sunday’s chase with the desire to put in a better race, despite the fact that he’s starting from a long way back. “It’s not over yet, but Sunday’s race is already compromised. I can’t hope to take a minute and a half off the leader”, he says.
For their part, the other Italians put in some fine performances. Lukas Hofer, who scored 9/10, reflects on his race. “I wasn’t in top form, but mistakes happen and you learn from them.
Less in the spotlight, Nicola Romanin came home in a fine sixteenth place, the best day of his career. “I was able to give the best of myself on the track, in front of my public, and I’m very happy. It was a very emotional moment,” he explained in a press release from his federation. I’m used to giving my all at every race, but today I didn’t need to qualify and I was able to concentrate fully, without any pressure. It’s incredible to be so happy, it’s really very moving.
A performance that his team-mate Lukas Hofer underlines. “He doesn’t surprise me. I see him concentrating every day and he knows what he wants to prove.
