Camille Bened Breaks Silence on Challenges Faced by Female Athletes

Oslo, Norway – The final competition of the biathlon World Cup season in Oslo-Holmenkollen brought a bittersweet end for French athlete Camille Bened. While she finished 23rd in the mass start on Sunday, concluding the season 10th overall in the World Cup standings, the race was overshadowed by a remarkably candid revelation she made following Saturday’s pursuit event. Bened publicly discussed the impact of her menstrual cycle on her athletic performance, sparking a conversation about a topic often considered taboo in the world of sports.

Bened’s openness came after a challenging weekend. Following a 12th-place finish in Saturday’s pursuit, her performance on Sunday was noticeably affected. “When you’re a woman, it’s not straightforward every day,” Bened explained to L’Equipe, as reported by Le Parisien. “I had my period this morning. Two days ago, things were going very well on skis, and today I didn’t have any energy at all.”

This isn’t the first time an athlete has alluded to the physiological challenges female competitors face. American figure skater Amber Glenn recently spoke openly about her own experiences with menstruation and competition, a trend that suggests a growing willingness to address these issues. Bened’s comments, however, were particularly direct in linking her physical state to her on-course performance.

Despite acknowledging the impact of her cycle, Bened expressed pride in her effort. “I’m really happy to have fought with the weapons of the day and to have delivered this performance,” she said. “Of course, some will tell me that I’m not fast enough on skis. But over an entire World Cup season, I fought with my weapons all winter and I am still quite proud of what I was able to do. I demonstrate that even if it’s not easy, I fight on the track, I offer everything I have until the end, and that’s my temperament.”

The conversation surrounding Bened’s experience highlights a growing awareness of the need to understand and address the unique physiological factors that affect female athletes. While the specifics of how menstrual cycles impact performance vary from individual to individual, the potential effects – including fluctuations in energy levels, hormone-related changes, and increased discomfort – are well-documented.

Julia Simon secured the slight globe for the mass start discipline on Sunday, capping off a successful season for the French biathlon team. Lou Jeanmonnot finished close behind, and Océane Michelon also placed well, finishing 4th. The overall World Cup title went to Lou Jeanmonnot, marking a dominant performance throughout the season. The French team’s success was a major storyline of the 2025-2026 biathlon season, and Bened’s contribution, despite the challenges she faced, was a significant part of that success.

Bened’s final World Cup ranking of 10th overall demonstrates her consistent performance throughout the season, despite the unpredictable nature of competition and the physiological challenges she openly discussed. She finished approximately 600 points behind Lou Jeanmonnot, the overall World Cup winner.

The 2025-2026 biathlon season has now concluded for the women, leaving fans to look ahead to the next competition cycle. The discussion sparked by Camille Bened’s honesty is likely to continue, prompting further examination of the support systems and resources available to female athletes navigating the demands of elite competition.

What’s Next: The biathlon circuit now shifts its focus to off-season training and preparation for the 2026-2027 season. Athletes will use this time to refine their skills, build strength, and address any individual needs to ensure they are at their peak performance when the modern season begins. Keep an eye on Archysport for updates on athlete training and competition schedules as they become available.

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