Eleven competitions in 13 days: The biathletes have a tight program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina. However, all biathlon races take place in Antholz in South Tyrol, almost 400 kilometers away from Milan.
Olympia 2026: Biathlon schedule in Antholz
In addition to one relay race each, the biathletes go on the cross-country ski trail four times each. Before that, the mixed relay begins, in which two men and two women compete per nation.
- Sunday, February 8th, 2:05 p.m.: Mixed-Staffel, 4 x 6 km, ARD and Eurosport
- Tuesday, February 10th, 1:30 p.m.: Einzel, 20 kmMen
- Wednesday, February 11th, 2:15 p.m.: Einzel, 15 kmWomen
- Friday, February 13th, 2 p.m.: Sprint, 10 kmMen
- Saturday, February 14th, 2 p.m.: Sprint, 7,5 kmWomen
- Sunday, February 15th, 11:15 a.m.: Pursuit, 12.5 kmMen
- Sunday, February 15th, 2:45 p.m.: Pursuit, 10 kmWomen
- Tuesday, February 17th, 2:30 p.m.: Staffel, 4 x 7.5 kmMen
- Wednesday, February 18th, 2:45 p.m.: Staffel, 4 x 6 kmWomen
- Friday, February 20th, 2:15 p.m.: Mass start, 15 kmMen
- Saturday, February 21st, 2:15 p.m.: Mass start, 12.5 kmWomen
Biathlon at the Olympics on TV
Eurosport and the paid live stream Discovery+ and HBOMax show all races live and in full length. As with all major events, ARD and ZDF alternate. Viewers can also watch the competitions in live streams in the respective media libraries as well as at Sportschau and Sportstudio.
Favorites and German chances of a medal
Giacomel, Perrot, Botn or a surprise?:
Eric Perrot was in good form in the World Cup races before the Winter Olympics. The Frenchman won the last two races in Nove Mesto and broke Thomas Giacomel as World Cup leader. However, the Italian should be very motivated at his home games.
Until before Christmas the man in question was called Johan-Olav Botn. The Norwegian won three World Cups, then shortly before Christmas he found his teammate Sivert Bakken lifeless in his hotel room. In addition to the psychological shock, he also had a cold, which is why he missed both World Cups in Germany. The Norwegians also have a place on the podium Johannes Dale-Skjevdal and Martin Uldal as well as Sweden Sebastian Samuelsson to trust. The French also have it Quentin Fillon Maillet a candidate for a medal.
Lou Jeanmonnot has to be beaten
Italy also has a good chance of winning gold medals among the women. Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi There are two Italian biathletes in the field with a chance of winning. Rebecca Passler from Antholz was suspended shortly before the games because she tested positive for doping and the 24-year-old is not allowed to compete at her home Olympic Games. Leads in the overall World Cup Lou Jeanmonnot (France), which was on the podium in three of the four past races. Suvi Minkkinen (Finland) has already collected four podium places this season. In France, Jeanmonnot also counts Julia Simon and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet to the favorite circle. For the Swedes are Hanna Öberg and Anna Magnusson best placed in the overall World Cup (5th and 3rd).
:Positive in the living room
The Winter Olympics have their first doping case: a banned substance is detected in an Italian biathlete from Antholz.
Germany hopes for Prussia – and Nawrath?
The DSV team has the best chance of winning a medal Franziska Preuss. The overall World Cup winner from 2025 won four medals at the World Cup in Lenzerheide. For men, a medal would be a surprise. At least we managed Philipp Nawrath and Philipp Horn one podium finish each this World Cup season.
“Südtirol Arena”: The Olympic Stadium in Antholz
Antholz in South Tyrol is a special venue for biathletes. The stadium, the “Südtirol Arena”, is located on approx 1600 meters above sea level, making it the highest competition venue in the Biathlon World Cup.
The thinner air and the associated lower oxygen content represent a significant physical strain for the athletes, which affects their running performance on the cross-country ski trail and their ability to concentrate at the shooting range. This is one of the reasons why numerous nations will go to so-called altitude training camps in order to acclimatize the athletes in good time.
This is also possible with a height training mask. This has been controversial since the sudden death of the Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken. When the 27-year-old was found by his teammate, Bakken was wearing such a mask. Such masks are currently temporarily banned in the Biathlon World Cup.
:The altitude mask mystery
What caused the death of the biathlete Sivert Bakken, who at the time of death was wearing a device on his face that simulates special conditions? Research at the World Cup in Ruhpolding.
Antholz as a good omen for the German athletes
The stadium has a capacity for approx 15,000 spectatorsof which around 3000 are seats. In addition, numerous other fans gather along the competition routes to cheer on the athletes.
German fans fondly remember Antholz: winning at the 2007 World Championships Magdalena Neunerwho turned 20 during the World Cup, won three gold medals. This success marked the beginning of her career and made her the youngest triple world champion to date. The DSV team won a total of eleven medals: five gold, three silver and three bronze.
Reigning 2022 Olympic champions
- Sprint (M): Johannes Thingnes Bö (Norway)
- Sprint (F): Marte Olsbu Roiseland (Norway)
- Pursuit (M): Quentin Fillon Maillet (France)
- Pursuit (F): Marte Olsbu Roiseland (Norway)
- Mass start (M): Johannes Thingnes Bö (Norway)
- Mass start (F): Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (France)
- Einzel (M): Quentin Fillon Maillet (France)
- Single (F): Denise Hermann (Deutschland)
- Relay (M): Norway
- Relay (F): Sweden
- Mixed Staffel: Norway
