Julia Simon Powers France to 1-2 Finish in Olympic Biathlon Individual

Julia Simon claimed her second gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, dominating the women's 15km individual biathlon event at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena. The French star posted a time of 41:15.6 with just one shooting penalty to finish well clear of the field and spark French celebrations. Compatriot Lou Jeanmonnot secured silver 53.1 seconds behind, while Bulgaria's Lora Hristova claimed a surprise bronze medal to complete the podium in a major upset.

Simon's performance showcased her exceptional combination of skiing speed and shooting accuracy under pressure. Despite dropping one shot across the four shooting stages, she recovered brilliantly to make up time on the ski course with powerful technique and relentless pacing. The 30-year-old's ability to bounce back from the early penalty demonstrated the mental resilience that has made her one of biathlon's most consistent performers. Her shooting efficiency across the remaining three stages proved decisive as rivals faltered under the pressure of Olympic competition.

The French 1-2 finish underscored France's dominance in biathlon at these Winter Games. Simon and Jeanmonnot had previously combined with Eric Perrot and Quentin Fillon Maillet to win gold in the mixed relay on Sunday, making this Simon's second Olympic title in Milano Cortina. The depth of French biathlon talent has been evident throughout the competition, with multiple athletes featuring prominently across various disciplines. Simon's individual triumph cements her status as one of the sport's premier athletes and adds another chapter to France's rich biathlon heritage.

Jeanmonnot's silver medal represented a strong individual performance in her own right, though she couldn't match Simon's blistering pace on the ski course. The 53-second gap illustrated Simon's superiority on the day, as Jeanmonnot finished well clear of the bronze medal position. Bulgaria's Hristova produced a career-defining performance to claim third place, marking Bulgaria's first biathlon medal of the Games and providing one of the competition's most heartwarming stories.

The 15km individual event is one of biathlon's most demanding tests, requiring athletes to complete four shooting stages while covering the demanding distance at altitude. Each missed shot results in a one-minute penalty added to the athlete's final time, making shooting accuracy paramount. Simon's single penalty proved manageable given her skiing speed, while several pre-race favourites saw their medal hopes evaporate after multiple misses on the range. The challenging shooting conditions tested nerves throughout the field.

With her second gold secured, Simon has established herself as one of the stars of Milano Cortina 2026. France's biathlon program continues to deliver exceptional results on the Olympic stage, building on a tradition of excellence that has produced multiple Olympic and World Championship medallists. Simon's dominance in both team and individual events positions her as a leading candidate for further success in the remaining biathlon competitions, where she will aim to add to her impressive medal haul before the Games conclude.