Timothy Loubineaud competed in the 10,000 meters speed skating final at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan Cortina, where he finished in a disappointing fourth place. Having dreamt of securing the first Olympic medal for France in speed skating, he was merely four seconds shy of the bronze medal, emphasizing the emotional weight of the moment. The race was won by Czech athlete Matodej Jilek, while Loubineaud was unable to surpass the medalists, including Poland’s Vladimir Semirunniy and Netherlands’ Jorrit Bergsma.

Loubineaud, who entered the ice rink last, faced a strong field, including the Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters, Sander Eitrem. His time of 12 minutes and 44 seconds reflects both his consistency throughout the season and the high expectations placed on him by fans and the French team. The impact of coming so close yet falling short resulted in an emotional reaction from Loubineaud, who expressed his disappointment in the aftermath of the race.

This moment at the Olympics represents not only an individual setback for Loubineaud but also a broader narrative regarding France's pursuit of gaining recognition in winter sports, particularly in speed skating. The close call has stirred discussions around the potential for future success in subsequent Olympic events, as athletes and coaches analyze Loubineaud’s performance to build towards the next competitions, hoping that this near miss will motivate improvements and foster future talents in French winter sports.