2026 Olympics | Biathlon – Mattéo Correia, training partner of the four-time Olympic champion, reflects on Quentin Fillon-Maillet’s sprint gold medal: “It’s no surprise”

Biathlon: Mattéo Correia/Quentin Fillon-Maillet, the winning duo

On Friday, Quentin Fillon-Maillet reached the summit of Olympus for the fourth time in his career by dominating the 2026 Olympic sprint in Antholz (Italy). Obtained at the age of 33 at the end of a tricky Olympiad following his extraordinary 2021/2022 Olympic season, this title enables the Jura native to continue writing his legend.

For the past two years, between federal training courses, the man with seven Olympic medals has been training with Vosges cross-country skier Mattéo Correia, ten years his junior. This collaboration, facilitated by their shared personal trainer Nicolas Chouard, allows them to pull each other’s weight.

“We knew he could do it. In skiing, he’s shown since the start of the Games that he’s up to the level, so if he lined up the balls at the bottom, it could all come together. It’s a done deal now and the Olympics aren’t over yet,” Mattéo Correia told Nordic Magazine after his training partner’s triumph.

“He is impressive in his ability to never give up, his motivation and perseverance”.

Admitting that “it’s special” to see someone close to you become Olympic champion, the Vosges native now based in the Jura region says that “it’s no surprise”.

“I know his level and what he’s capable of. Since he started training again this spring, he’s been solid in terms of intensity. He’s a hard worker. His ability to never give up, his motivation and perseverance are impressive,” he continues.

Mattéo Correia will be in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) this weekend for another leg of the FESA Cup cross-country skiing competition, and he too will be trying to emulate Quentin Fillon-Maillet by raising his arms.” It’s a site he particularly likes, so I’m going to take inspiration from him and give it my all,” he concludes.

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• Seven Olympic medals like Martin Fourcade, four titles like Léon Marchand: Quentin Fillon-Maillet writes a new page in his legend by winning the sprint
• The photo album of Quentin Fillon-Maillet’s Olympic gold medal in the sprint