The last couple of seasons were nothing short of remarkable for Oceane Michelon, starting with 2024 IBU Cup Total Score Crystal Globe and culminating with an Olympic Mass Start Gold medal last February.

Midway through summer training, Michelon kicks off her new season this week, along with teammates including World Cup Total Score winner Eric Perrot, 2022 Olympic Gold medalist Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and 2025 IBU Cup Total Score winner Camille Bened at the Blinkfestivalen in Sandnes, Norway. Michelon’s second appearance at this Norwegian summer classic is her first opportunity this summer to lock horns with World Cup rivals including Olympic Sprint Gold medalist Maren Kirkeeide who nipped the young French star by three seconds in that competition.

In between the IBU Cup and Olympic Gold milestones, the 24-year-old was consistently spectacular, winning the 2025 World Cup Blue Bib (under-23) title, IBU World Championships Relay Gold and Mass Start Silver medals, Mass Start and Relay Gold Medals plus Olympic Sprint Silver. After finishing just behind Kirkeeide, Michelon admitted she would, “go through the rest of the Olympics with a really big smile!” A few weeks ago, sitting down between training sessions on a hot afternoon, she was rightfully so…still smiling.

Biathlonworld: What time do you wake up on Mondays and what is the first thing you do after waking up?

Oceane Michelon: I wake up around 6:30, but if it’s possible to be 8, it is better for me! The first thing I do is take a breakfast that I love.

BW: What is the first app you look at when you turn on your phone?

OM: Instagram…unfortunately! Then it’s WhatsApp to chat with my boyfriend.

BW: What makes your breakfast perfect?

OM: More salt than sugar; a little piece of Le Margériaz, my local cheese from home and only that, ham, two eggs and yogurt with muesli and tea. My favorite tea is green or fruit, not black tea.

BW: Does your early morning include stretching, yoga, a run or mental preparation for the day ahead?

OM: I usually do a run of 45 minutes but not every day.

BW: Do you consider yourself a perfectionist when it comes to training?

OM: Yes, I am never satisfied; you can ask the coach. I love working.

BW: Are you fearless?

OM: Absolutely not! Like a lot of people: I’m afraid of spiders! I am not really scared, but I think it is a really good thing not to be overconfident. Still, I am uncomfortable at the beginning of shooting training.

BW: At the end of the day, what do you do to wind down?

OM: Play some music, everything including pop, French and American, but not classic. My boyfriend likes hard rock but that is not my favorite!

BW: What piece of advice guides you every day?

OM: Always search for something new and always be interested in exploring and open to new ideas.

BW: What is the hardest part of being a professional biathlete?

OM: The French team has the most competition; it has a really good level. Both the boys and girls have the same level. It’s hard to get in the A team and be there for a long time. That is not easy. We have to work on skiing and shooting for sure, but much of it is mental preparation. The coach says we have all of the shooting and skiing skills, but in the head is not the same. We have a lot of work to do.

BW: What is the biggest lesson the Olympics taught you?

OM: To be patient, because it was really long for me to get my first start, 10 days of waiting while other people took the starts. Also to be only me as a person, not as a biathlete. It is really hard because we are in the biggest events in the sport and we all have goals. I knew that I just had to ski as I know and shoot as I know and take a lot of pleasure in it since it was my first time.

BW: What is the biggest challenge you have overcome as an athlete?

OM: Physical problems. It is hard because sometimes you think you do all that you can and still have problems. That is sport. You have to say, ‘okay,’ it is just a moment, and it will pass. Still, this is difficult.

BW: What is your biggest food indulgence, something you cannot live without?

OM: My grandfather was a chef, so it is hard to say anything, because I love everything. But it is probably strawberries in the summer.

BW: What was your biggest thrill this past summer?

OM: Going to Roland Garros (French Open) was a really nice experience, but my most impressive experience was the flight with the Patrouille de France. It is not accessible to everybody; it was completely crazy. The experience was personal and unforgettable; to see these people playing with their plane was amazing and really nice.

After three successive excellent seasons, Ocean Michelon hopes to remain on a roll in 2026/27, shooting for more medals, her first World Cup win and more. It all kicks off in just a few days at Blinkfestivalen…stay tuned.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus