Biathlon | Coralie Langel, now Swiss, tells Nordic Magazine why she changed her nationality: “I made this decision for myself, thinking about myself”

Biathlon: a change of country for Coralie Langel

Almost a month ago, Jura biathlete Coralie Langel, 23, announced that she had decided to change her sporting nationality, swapping her French jersey for that of Switzerland, the country of her paternal grandfather.

After taking part in her first Swiss championships at the end of March and the announcement that she would be joining the Swiss-Ski team, the native of Pontarlier (Doubs) spoke at length to Nordic Magazine. Interview.

• Why did you decide to become a Swiss sportsman?

I’d been thinking about it for a while, but with my family, I told myself that I had to stay focused on France, doing the winter without getting lost in it. In January, after winning two weekends in a row in Prémanon and Les Contamines-Montjoie, I wasn’t selected for the IBU Cup and I was a bit sad. At that point, I didn’t really have a direction to follow in my season, because the selections seemed less and less understandable. I’m not at war with France at all, just disappointed by certain decisions. That’s how I feel as an athlete, and I’m not always objective.

• Was that the trigger?

I asked myself the right questions to know if I still wanted to do it or not. The density in France is enormous, and I felt that I didn’t really have any more room. To be honest, I wouldn’t have carried on in France, and I thought I had a plan B with this opportunity to go to Switzerland thanks to my dual nationality. So I started the process. At the same time, on a sporting level, I decided to change my circuit by taking part in a Swiss Cup at Prémanon. I needed to validate the idea of changing nationality by going to this event. There weren’t many people there, but it was great to meet some of the coaches!

• How did you go about changing your nationality?

I spoke to Valentin Drezet, who works at Ski Valais, and he helped me with the project. Then everything came together quite naturally. I had discussions with Selina Gasparin [in charge of the next generation of skiers at Swiss-Ski, editor’s note], the Swiss team coaches and the Valais committee, who were very supportive. All that remained was for the IBU to accept my application, because the rules have been tightened up a little [you now have to have not competed internationally in the three years preceding the change of country, editor’s note].

• Finally, you took part in your first competition at the Swiss Championships in Goms at the very end of the season. How did that go?

The first race, a sprint, was a bit of a nightmare with my first 0/5 [laughs]! But I bounced back and finished second in the mass-start. Overall, it was a great party and the girls were lovely, putting glitter on my cheeks and inviting me to the group photo. I really felt that there was a lot of goodwill and energy. It got me into the swing of things straight away!

• So your integration into the group went well…

I don’t think they really knew me, but they’d already heard of me, as I’m the one who’s going to be joining their team! The welcome I got was just too cool and really nice. Sometimes I didn’t really understand what they were saying, but Lea Meier, who speaks fluent French, English and German, helped me a lot on Sunday. I was amazed at how nice they were, coming up to me and chatting with me.

• How would you describe this change in sporting nationality?

[I really see it as a new adventure, because it’s not a sequel that everyone is lucky enough to have. I’m lucky enough to have it, and I really see it as a wonderful opportunity that stimulates me enormously. I’ve got lots of aspirations and new goals. I’m looking forward to working with the girls, learning from them and continuing to progress!

• You are in the Swiss-Ski B squad for the 2025/2026 training season. In which group will you be preparing?

I’m actually a B manager, which is so cool! After the Swiss championships, I had a videoconference with the A team coaches, who told me that I’d be preparing with them, in a mixed group of five boys and five girls, including some big names like Lena Haecki-Gross and Amy Baserga. It’s going to be great to work with them! After that, I’m going to have to work intelligently because it’s been a while since I went international. Three years ago, I had a problem [with overtraining, editor’s note], and we decided to focus on rebuilding with Fred [Jean, her personal coach for the last two seasons, editor’s note], rather than going on and on. I’m equipped to be fairly serene on this point, thanks to everything I’ve learnt over the last two years. We’ll just have to communicate that to the coaches so that everything goes smoothly!

• The fact that you are directly integrated into the A training group also means that the Swiss national coaches have confidence in you…

Absolutely! They think a lot of me, and that makes me laugh a bit [she laughs]. It’s great and, in fact, it gives me a bit of self-confidence. I’m obviously pleased to see that they’re behind me and that they really want to support me in this project.

• How will your summer be organised? Will you be moving to Switzerland?

In general, the Swiss organisation is as follows: a week’s training abroad with the team, followed by a week’s training camp in Lenzerheide, then a week’s rest and another week working at home. So I’ll have a room in Lenzerheide and I’ll be commuting to and from the Jura [she lives in Foncine-le-Haut, editor’s note].

• Was it a difficult decision to leave France?

That was the hardest part. It’s all very simple, but La Marseillaise… I’ll never play that anthem on a biathlon podium, because it won’t be like that! In terms of values and the celebration of performance, I had some questions. Hell, I’m leaving the French Ski Federation! It’s sad, but I took this decision from a personal point of view. I took this decision for myself, thinking about myself. I’m doing sport and getting results for myself.

• What are your objectives for your first few months in the Swiss colours?

The aim will be to build up from strength to strength, without rushing things. The idea will of course be to start in the IBU Cup at the beginning of the season. After that, we’ll see where it takes me depending on the results. I don’t want to go to the World Cup just to say that I’ve been there. First of all, I want to perform in the IBU Cup to build up my confidence on the international circuit. After that, I’ve got an Olympic year coming up. I make no secret of the fact that if I can get a place, even as a substitute, I’ll be delighted to go and enjoy the experience.

• This spring you find yourself in the same situation as Maya Cloetens 3 years ago. Does seeing where she is now give you a good example to follow?

I haven’t spoken much to her, but she’s a girl who inspires me. When I saw what she was able to do at the world championships [eighth in the sprint, editor’s note] and her results throughout the season in the World Cup, I thought it was great. I think it showed me that I could do it. There can only be good things that happen to me. It’s been inspiring!

• Your collaboration with Frédéric Jean and Arnaud Langel comes to an end after two years. What do you remember about this time?

I was really at rock bottom, and Fred [Jean] gave me back my motivation and, above all, the pleasure I’d lost. I can only thank them, because if I’ve taken this decision to go to Switzerland, it’s largely thanks to them and the rebuilding work we’ve been able to do together.

• “I’m not ready to put my foot down just yet”: Coralie Langel tells Nordic Magazine, winner of the French Cup after training alone all summer.
• Coralie Langel becomes a Swiss sportswoman
• Goms: Sebastian Stalder and Lena Haecki-Gross Swiss mass-start champions, silver for Coralie Langel, bronze for Arnaud Du Pasquier
• The composition of the Swiss-Ski team for the 2025/2026 season… with biathlete Coralie Langel in the B team