Norwegian Olympic rookie Johan-Olav Botn rose to the occasion this afternoon, shooting clean while skiing strongly to win the Men’s 20 km Individual Gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in 51:35.5. Botn, in the medal mix from the start took over the lead from eventual Silver medallist Eric Perrot after Perrot picked up a penalty in the first standing. From that point, Botn went unchallenged to the Gold medal.

Botn became the second man to win an Olympic Biathlon Gold medal in his first-ever try. France’s Vincent Jay won the 2010 Vancouver Men’s 10 km Sprint, also shooting clean.

“Made sure every shot was good enough”

Botn, who was perfect behind the rifle worked hard to hit every target, knowing he was not in his best shape after missing time after Christmas with illness and recovering slowly. “I knew I was not in my best shape, so I had to focus on the shooting range and I did. I took my time and made sure every shot was good enough to hit.”

“My thoughts went toward my good friend Sivert Bakken"

On the last loop, an emotional Botn focused on his friend and teammate Siver Guttorm Bakken who died unexpectedly just before Christmas at a training camp. “Also at the last shooting, my thoughts and feelings went toward my good friend Sivert Bakken who tragically died this Christmas. It was quite an emotional last loop for me. I felt like I was racing with him. I hope he was watching and hope he was proud of what I was doing.”

Perrot who led through the first two shooting stages won the Silver medal, 14.8 seconds back, his second medal of these Games, after taking Mixed Relay Gold. Botn’s teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid, also with one penalty won the Bronze medal, 48.3 seconds back, his first individual Olympic medal.

Finland’s Olli Hiidensalo shot clean in fourth, 1:29.7 back. Germany’s Philipp Nawrath, with one penalty finished fifth, 1:31.5 seconds back. Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel with three penalties finished sixth, 2:27.5 back.

Botn/Perrot Battle

Cloudy skies, light winds and hard-packed tracks set the stage for the first individual biathlon competition of these Milan/Cortina Olympic Winter Games, a battle between Botn and Perrot. The Frenchman immediately set the bar with a fast first loop and a clean first prone. Laegreid trailed by nine seconds and Botn by 21 after carefully cleaning.

Perrot missed a shot in the first standing stage while Botn and Laegreid both were perfect. Laegreid moved into the top spot 3 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma with Botn 17 seconds off his teammate’s pace.

Botn Takes Gold

In the second prone, Botn took a commanding 21-second lead with a much faster 5-for-5. Perrot cleaned, staying second with Laegreid fourth 36 seconds back. Perrot went all out with a brilliantly fast, clean last standing stage, but remained 11 seconds behind Botn. Laegreid moved into third ahead of the clean-shooting Hiidensalo.

Botn poured it on in the last loop, staying in front of Perrot, extending his lead by a few seconds for his first Gold medal, with Perrot taking Silver and Laegreid Bronze.

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