— Published February 9, 2026

Antholz, the perfect setting to see biathlon at its best

Milan-Cortina 2026 Focus

By all accounts, the Antholz-Anterselva site, nestled at an altitude of 1.600 meters, is the most beautiful on the Biathlon World Cup circuit. It has been frequented by top biathletes since 1971 and has established itself as an essential stopover each winter. It has also hosted five editions of the World Championships, the most recent in 2020. However, this year marks the first time that the Olympic fervor has taken hold there, as biathlon was held in Cesana San Sicario, in Piedmont, in 2006. Since then, the sport has developed considerably, and all the conditions are now in place for it to be showcased in the most spectacular way in a magnificent setting.

A guarantee of quality

After two Asian editions, in PyeongChang and Beijing, biathlon has found a more fertile ground. Italy was already accustomed to hosting competitions, but in recent years, it has also started winning. Dorothea Wierer paved the way (three Olympic medals before this edition, four world championship titles, two overall crystal globes), and others have followed, notably Lisa Vittozzi (winner of the overall globe in 2024) and Tommaso Giacomel (current leader of the overall World Cup standings). This momentum is certainly important, as Italy prepares to host the Games, for the atmosphere and public interest. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the reigning Olympic mass start champion, expects to something fabulous in terms of atmosphere and spectacle ».

« It's a truly magnificent setting. It's a site designed for biathlon and hosts the World Cup, so it's a real guarantee of quality with a knowledgeable crowd and a superb atmosphere. » Quentin Fillon Maillet believes, medalist in five of the six races on the program in 2022. For the first time in a long time at the Olympic Games, biathlon is back in what I would call a traditional venue, notes the legend Martin Fourcade in the Olympic ReviewThe Anterselva Valley is a splendid setting for this sport. I started cross-country skiing because I love the mountains, nature, and the forest. In my opinion, the Anterselva Valley combines all three. "As Max Cobb, IBU Secretary General, summed it up with a smile for Francs Jeux, who are " It's a bit like biathlon coming home. ».

Altitude, an additional adversary

In preparation for the Games, the site has been renovated: new tunnels, expanded spaces for athletes, improved lighting, upgraded media and television infrastructure, advanced artificial snowmaking systems, etc. All this to offer the best possible experience without disrupting the athletes' routines. It's a real advantage to know the site compared to Beijing 2022 or others, about which we ultimately knew nothing. This is great, we'll have some points of reference. “,” explains Fabien Claude, who was experiencing the Games for the first time four years ago. Julia Simon warns: The course is very demanding; when you're in good form, everything goes smoothly, but when you're struggling, it requires a lot of work. It's a course that favors the most well-rounded biathletes who ski fast and shoot well. »

The medalists will undoubtedly be formidable, especially considering another major factor: the altitude, which already pushed some athletes to their limits during the mixed relay. It's one of the few stadiums at altitude, so it's something we have to manage, something we have to anticipate a little bit., says Lou Jeanmonnot, leader of the overall women's standings this season. The air is less dense, therefore there is less oxygen, and consequently, a greater need to breathe and ventilate. Some are extremely affected by this, others not at all; it varies considerably from athlete to athlete, and therefore it can influence different aspects of their health. France kicked things off on Sunday by winning the mixed relay, the first of eleven races on the program at these Games. The 200.000 spectators expected throughout the fortnight won't miss a thing.