The Winter Olympics are something very special for every athlete. But the Games in Milano Cortina will have a special significance for some biathletes. Because it will be their debut as Olympic athletes. Who will be competing under the Olympic rings for the first time in Antholz?

Lou Jeanmonnot and Eric Perrot are the favourites going into the races

Lou Jeanmonnot and Eric Perrot have been the most consistent biathletes of the 2025/2026 season so far. The two French stars wear the yellow jersey of the overall World Cup leader. For both, the 2026 Winter Olympics will be a first. In preparation for the competitions in Antholz, the French team took a different approach to some of their competitors. While they were competing in the World Cup in Nove Mesto, many were already preparing for the highlight of the season. However, both Perrot and Jeanmonnot are likely to have gained a lot of confidence during the competitions in Czechia, and they know exactly how to win titles. Perrot became world champion in the individual event at the 2025 World Championships whilst Jeanmonnot already has seven World Championship medals in her cabinet, four of them gold.

Successors sought for the Boe brothers

In Norway, following the retirement of Johannes Thingnes and Tarjei Boe, a new team has been formed that is also striving for victory. With Sturla Holm Laegreid and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, the Norwegian team still has athletes in its ranks who have already won Olympic medals, but the newcomers also have a good chance of winning precious metal in Antholz. Johan-Olav Botn has already won two World Cup races this season, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal won the pursuit in Ruhpolding and Martin Uldal is always good for a place on the podium in any race he runs. In the women's event, Maren Kirkkeide leads the U23 World Cup standings and celebrated her first World Cup victory in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand in December 2025. At 22 years of age, she is one of the favourites for her Olympic debut.

German team with several Olympic newcomers

In the German men's team, only Philipp Nawrath has competed in Olympic races so far. For Justus Strelow, Philipp Horn, Lucas Fratzscher and David Zobel, it will be a new experience. The youngest member of the German Olympic team is Julia Tannheimer. At 19, she is taking part in the Games for the first time.

Which newcomers should you keep an eye on?

Oceane Michelon and Camille Bened are part of the strong French team that has a chance of winning a medal in every race. Ella Halvarsson from Sweden won the silver medal at the 2025 World Championships in the individual event. Selina Grotian from Germany is already a World Cup winner at the age of 21. The Italian team also has several rookies in its Olympic squad. Hannah Auchentaller, Patrick Braunhofer, Elia Zeni and Nicola Romanin will be celebrating their Olympic debut in their home country.

Regardless of how the newcomers experience their Olympic debut, if they want to hear Olympic stories from previous years, they can confidently turn to Simon Eder or Lukas Hofer. Both are participating for the fifth time.

Fotos: IBU