The official announcement of the squad was due to take place after the World Cup stage in Ruhpolding on January 18, but the French National Olympic and Sports Committee on Tuesday released the first list of biathlon qualifiers for the 2026 Olympic Games.
In total, nine athletes – five women and four men – have entered the application, who already have a guarantee to perform in the blue-white-red uniform from February 8 on the Olympic track in Antholz-Anterselva.
There were no surprises among the men. The leaders of the national team: Eric Perrault, Kanten Fillon-Mayet, Emilien Jacqueline and Fabien Claude got into the application. There will be two more places left in the team, probably for reserves, because only four biathletes from each country can compete in individual races at the Olympics.
Among the women on the list are Blues leader and current World Cup overall leader Lou Jeanmonnot, Olympic champion Justine Breza-Boucher and 10-time world champion Julia Simon, who returned from suspension to finish fourth in the pursuit in Annecy this weekend. Also added to this list was Oceane Michlon, the winner of the Small Crystal Globe for the best young athlete last season, who this season was third in the sprint in Östersund. And Camille Benet’s season opener was third place in the individual race in Östersund and sixth overall in the World Cup.
There is only one vacant place left in the women’s team to participate in the Olympics. Jeanne Richard, Paula Bothe, Sophie Chauvot, as well as IBU Cup leader Woldia Halmas-Polen can compete for the last ticket at the next two stages of the World Cup in Oberhof (January 8-11) and Ruhpolding (January 14-18).
Source: sport.ua