Biathlon: Les Bleues go for a second Olympic relay title in 38 days’ time
In the great history of biathlon, the French women’s team has been crowned Olympic champion just once. It was in 1992 in Les Saisies (Savoie), on a beautiful February day when Anne Briand, Véronique Claudel and Corinne Niogret entered the hearts of the French… just like their sport, which until then had been unknown and reserved for the initiated.
Since then, Les Bleues have never managed to repeat the feat, having to make do with one silver medal (2010) and three bronze medals (1994, 2006, 2018). On February 18, however, the French will take the start of the relay at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games with the huge sign of the favourites for the supreme title.
Twice reigning world champions and winners of the last three Globes of Nations, the French team has become – by far and away – the best team on the planet. A dense group with no shortage of talent. So which quartet should we field to go in search of the gold medal we’re all looking for?
The day after Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon put in a demonstration performance in the World Cup relay in Oberhof (Germany), the trend is clearly towards this composition and starting order.
A complementary quartet
It has to be said that she was crowned world champion last winter and is quite simply unbeaten in three outings. Above all, it’s the recitals that have been achieved in this combination, which some would describe as ideal.
Lou Jeanmonnot is insatiable as a thrower, Océane Michelon and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet are perfect in continuity and Julia Simon seems born to close the relays.
In short, this complementary team is impressive and has a psychological advantage over its opponents, which is not to be underestimated in an Olympic battle.
When I’m at the start in this configuration, I feel confident,” Océane Michelon told Nordic Magazine after the Oberhof relay. It gives me a certain comfort, especially as I love relays. I’m stimulated by this type of race.
“It’s important to stick to technique and not get carried away”.
With the Olympic Games just around the corner, their success in the freezing cold of the Thuringian forest has boosted the confidence of the Tricolores.
In a way, it’s reassuring because it allows us to get our bearings and build our confidence, but every race is different,” explains Océane Michelon. The conditions vary and, although this configuration suits us, we’re going to have to be good on the day and stick to what we know. It’s important to stay technical and not get carried away.
To go for Olympic gold in 38 days’ time, you will have to work hard to deliver a perfect race. The time for boasting will come once the finish line has been crossed… if the scenario has been favourable.
- The full programme for the Oberhof World Cup, the fourth stage of the 2025/2026 season
- Change of programme at Oberhof: the two sprints will take place on Thursday because of the bad weather forecast for Friday.
- Caroline Colombo: my best memory of… Oberhof
- Sturla Holm Lægreid and Johan-Olav Botn will not be at the start of the Oberhof World Cup due to illness
- Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer skip the Oberhof World Cup: discover the Italian selection
- Jeanne Richard instead of Paula Botet, Valentin Lejeune reappointed: the French team’s selection for the Oberhof World Cup
- A minute’s applause, a number 1 bib dedicated to his memory, a black armband: several tributes will be paid to Sivert Guttorm Bakken on Thursday during the men’s sprint in Oberhof.
- Oberhof: Tommaso Giacomel dominates the sprint ahead of Philipp Nawrath and Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, flowers for Eric Perrot
- “It doesn’t pay in biathlon when you make two mistakes”: the frustration of Eric Perrot, sixth in the Oberhof sprint with a score of 8/10
- “I think Sivert would be very proud of me”: Tommaso Giacomel wins the Oberhof sprint in tribute to his friend Sivert Guttorm Bakken
- A losing bet and a “small regret” for Emilien Jacquelin, who failed to qualify for the Oberhof pursuit after his worst result for four years.
- Oberhof: Julia Simon takes third place in the sprint, victory for Elvira Oeberg
- “I’m very proud of what I’ve done”: Julia Simon’s podium finish in the Oberhof sprint launches her Olympic season in earnest.
- “I was hot”: the mistake that could have disqualified Lou Jeanmonnot in the Oberhof sprint
- “She received a serious warning”: why wasn’t Lou Jeanmonnot disqualified from the Oberhof sprint, despite using an illegal rifle?
- “It’s pure chance and unintentional”: in Oberhof, as in Hochfilzen in December, the women’s sprint and pursuit are interspersed with a relay.
- Oberhof: after an entertaining race, Tommaso Giacomel wins the pursuit, Quentin Fillon-Maillet sixth
- Tommaso Giacomel takes command of the overall standings and will wear yellow in Ruhpolding, with Eric Perrot third.
- “It’s something that never happens”: Eric Perrot, eighth in the Oberhof pursuit, had to deal with a broken magazine on his first standing shot.
- Oberhof: Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon crush the relay ahead of Norway and Germany
- “It feels good as a team”: Les Bleues achieve near-perfection in the Oberhof relay
- “I’ve seen athletes crying from the cold”: the polar temperatures at the Arena am Rennsteig in Oberhof had an impact on the women’s relay.
