Finnish biathlete Olli Hiidensalo, 35, delivered an impressive performance at the Olympics, successfully completing all shooting rounds without any penalties and finishing in fourth place. This event saw Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn clinch the gold medal, completing all four shooting stages cleanly and beating silver medalist Eric Perrot of France by 14.8 seconds. Sturla Holm Lægreid from Norway secured the bronze medal, finishing with a time that put him well ahead of Hiidensalo.

Hiidensalo expressed mixed feelings about his performance, stating that while he was proud of his efforts, the disappointment of not winning a medal was strong. This fourth-place finish mirrors his previous performance at last year's World Championships, where he also ranked fourth. He reflected on his growing enjoyment of the sport, stating, "I enjoy competing more than ever," despite the heartbreak of missing out on a podium finish. He emphasized that he gave everything he could during this challenging race, particularly with the difficulties of the shooting component, which he noted was more challenging than previous competitions.

The Olympic biathlon events are currently taking place in Anterselva, Italy, located over 1,600 meters above sea level, which adds an extra layer of difficulty for the athletes. Hiidensalo's journey is one of determination, showcasing the fierce competition and the personal highs and lows that come with Olympic sports. His experience serves as a reminder of the hard work behind each athlete's journey towards realization of their Olympic dreams, with each performance contributing to their continued growth in the sport.