Biathlon: in Antholz, Emilien Claude watched his friends win the Olympic title
Substitute for the French men’s biathlon team at the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Vosgien Emilien Claude had a front row seat on Tuesday afternoon to watch his team-mates win the Olympic relay.
“It was an incredible day! The relay went really fast because it was going in all directions,” he explained to Nordic Magazine a few minutes after the medal ceremony. At the start, Fabien [Claude] gave us a fright, but we knew it was going to be a long one and that it wasn’t lost at all. In the end, Emilien [Jacquelin] did a crazy relay and we were in contact the whole way.
“Seeing Fabien win Olympic gold is also a family dream come true”.
After that, says Emilien Claude, “Quentin [Fillon-Maillet] held on well and then Eric [Perrot] finished the job with one last crazy lap”. “He was at the end of his rope and we had a blackout. He had to dig deep. I don’t think he’s ever been in that state before “, he continues.
For the native of Bassur, who is currently enjoying his first Olympic Games, this Olympic gold medal means a great deal for the French team… and his family.
It’s the consecration of a generation,” he says. Even though Eric [Perrot] is younger than the other three, he’s been part of the team for four years. It’s huge, and I’m so happy for the whole team! Seeing Fabien win Olympic gold is also a family dream come true. We know just how far we’ve come. In Beijing, it was already a family medal and now it’s a family title. It’s so cool for him!
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