2026 Olympics | Biathlon: worst shooter in the first relay
Although they were among the favourites in the mixed biathlon relay at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Sweden failed to finish on the podium. Their leader Sebastian Samuelsson got off to a good start with a full house in the prone event. But one lap later, the standing shot turned into a nightmare for the man who was supposed to get this relay off to a good start.
“It was a horrible experience. It’s just not good enough,” he told Expressen. It’s all in my head and I need to do much better than that. I know I can do better, and when I cross the line, I know the day is over.
Anna Magnusson and Hanna Oeberg ensured, in vain
With a total of five errors, the 28-year-old biathlete went round the penalty ring twice. He then handed over to Martin Ponsiluoma in eighteenth place, more than 1 minute 24 seconds behind Norway, who were in the lead at the time. The 2021 world sprint champion then chased down the competition and climbed four places, with only two balls of wood used.
Fortunately for the Swedes, the women then continued to do their job, with just one goal apiece. Anna Magnusson took her team from fourteenth to eighth place. Hanna Oeberg, who was aiming for the top five, took advantage of her strength on skis to take fifth place.
- Races, training sessions, shooting trials, ceremonies: the full programme for the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- 2026 Olympic Games: the full biathlon programme for the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- Anterselva Biathlon Arena: everything you need to know about the Antholz venue, which will host the biathlon events at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- Caroline Colombo: my best memory of… Antholz-Anterselva
- The French team selection for the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- The French team’s kit for the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- Pierre Mignerey, FFS National Technical Director, outlines the French team’s ambitions for the 2026 Olympics: “It’s clear that we expect the biathletes to be on the podium”.
- Coaches, physiotherapists, physical trainers, press officers, technicians: what kind of support will the French team have at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games?
- The first photos of Fabien Claude, Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Oscar Lombardot and Emilien Claude training in Antholz
- With Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Lou Jeanmonnot and Julia Simon: France announces its mixed relay quartet
- “For my personal preparation, I thought it made more sense to do the third relay”: why Lou Jeanmonnot didn’t want to complete the Olympic mixed relay
- “It all seems quite logical”: Corinne Niogret, 1992 Olympic champion in the women’s relay, explains the composition of the French mixed relay.
- How Simon Fourcade and Cyril Burdet justify the order of the mixed relay and the selections of Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Julia Simon
- Camille Bened at the start of the individual race, Océane Michelon in the sprint
- “We don’t have any pressure in terms of results or medals”: the pillar of the Olympic delegation, the French team tries to ignore expectations.
- “Lots of enthusiasm and desire, but also caution and humility”: Stéphane Bouthiaux describes the state of mind of Les Bleus on the eve of the mixed relay.
- “If the first race goes well, it’s easy to follow it up”: the mixed relay, a golden opportunity for France to kick off the Olympic fortnight with a bang
- “Everything I’ve seen, experienced and felt means I’m starting these Games a little less naked”: what Peiserot Eric Perrot takes away from his experience as a substitute at the 2022 Olympics.
- Medal records, stars of the fortnight, ambitions: all the issues at stake at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games with Delphyne Burlet
