The biathlon competition marked the first event in the Milan-Cortina Games, where 89 competitors participated in the men’s 20-kilometer individual race. Norwegian biathlete Juhans Ølavs Botn took home the gold medal after successfully hitting all 20 targets in the shooting round, showcasing accuracy and skill. This event was significant for Latvia, as it featured four biathletes for the first time since 2010, including Olympic debutants Renārs Birkentāls, Edgars Mise, and Rihards Lozbers, alongside established athlete Andrejs Rastorgujevs.

Birkentāls employed a careful strategy, starting the race at a relatively calm pace to conserve energy for the shooting portions. His performance included two shooting mistakes earlier in the race, but he demonstrated remarkable composure by hitting every target in the final two rounds, illustrating his potential for future competitions. After finishing, Birkentāls expressed to Latvian Television (LTV) his awareness of needing to maintain focus and calmness during critical moments of the competition.

This biathlon event not only showcased individual performances but also highlighted the growing presence and competitiveness of Latvians in the sport. With the encouraging results from Birkentāls and his teammates, there is optimism for Latvia's biathlon future and a stronger representation in upcoming international events, potentially leading to more accolades on the world stage.