The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina will showcase eleven biathlon events over the course of 13 days, all held in Antholz, a location approximately 400 kilometers from Milan. The schedule commences with a mixed relay race, where each participating nation will field two male and two female athletes. France emerged victorious in this event, significantly outpacing Italy, while Germany secured a bronze despite having to complete a penalty lap.

In the individual men’s 20-kilometer race, Johan-Olav Botn from Norway clinched the gold medal, with his compatriot Sturla Holm Laegreid finishing third. The silver medal went to Eric Perrot from France. Furthermore, in the individual women’s 15-kilometer race, Julia Simon from France captured gold despite incurring a one-minute penalty, showcasing the unpredictable nature of biathlon competitions where precision and speed are crucial.

These competitions highlight the intense preparation and strategic planning required by athletes and their teams as they approach the Olympics. The choice of Antholz as the venue, while distant from Milan, raises questions about accessibility for fans and the overall Olympic experience, adding an extra layer of complexity to the 2026 Winter Games.