Biathlon is one of the most demanding disciplines in the Olympic Winter Games, requiring athletes to combine elite cross-country skiing with precise rifle shooting under extreme physical strain. Rooted in military history and endurance sport, biathlon tests not only speed and strength, but composure, strategy, and mental resilience. At the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, biathlon competition will take place at one of the sport’s most respected venues, the Anterselva Biathlon Arena. 

Biathlon originated in Scandinavia in the 18th century, evolving from military patrol exercises into organized competition. The sport appeared at the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924 and became a permanent part of the Olympic program in 1960. Women’s events were formally regulated in 1980 and have been included in the Olympic Games since 1992. 

What Is Biathlon? 

Biathlon combines two disciplines: cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Athletes ski multiple laps of a course using freestyle technique, stopping at a shooting range during each lap to fire at five targets positioned 50 meters away. 

Shooting is conducted in two positions: prone and standing. Targets are smaller in the prone position and larger when standing, reflecting the increased difficulty of shooting while upright. Missed targets result in penalties, either requiring athletes to ski a 150-meter penalty loop or, in the individual event, adding one minute to the athlete’s overall time. 

The defining challenge of biathlon is the transition between exertion and control. Athletes must ski at high intensity, then rapidly calm their breathing and heart rate to shoot accurately under pressure. 

Competition Events at Milano Cortina 2026 

The biathlon program at the 2026 Winter Games will include 11 medal events: 

Men’s 20km Individual
Women’s 15km Individual 

Men’s 10km Sprint
Women’s 7.5km Sprint 

Men’s 12.5km Pursuit
Women’s 10km Pursuit 

Men’s 15km Mass Start
Women’s 12.5km Mass Start 

Men’s 4 x 7.5km Relay
Women’s 4 x 6km Relay 

Mixed Relay 4 x 6km 

Each race format presents unique tactical demands. Sprint races include two shooting stages, while pursuit and mass start events include four. Relay events introduce teamwork and allow athletes three extra rounds per shooting stage, which must be loaded one at a time, increasing both physical and mental pressure. 

The Venue: Anterselva Biathlon Arena 

All biathlon events at Milano Cortina 2026 will be held at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena in the Antholz Valley of northern Italy. The venue is internationally recognized for its altitude, challenging terrain, and demanding course profile. 

Anterselva has hosted numerous Biathlon World Cup events and served as the official Olympic test venue in 2025. The course features sustained climbs, technical descents, and a shooting range that rewards discipline and consistency. 

Its combination of history, altitude, and infrastructure makes it a defining stage for Olympic biathlon competition. 

Team USA and a Historic Opportunity 

Deedra Irwin 
Deedra Irwin heads to Milano Cortina 2026 as one of the most proven and competitive athletes in the U.S. women’s biathlon program. Selected through objective criteria, Irwin has become a consistent force for Team USA thanks to her skiing speed, race strength, and ability to contend in the sport’s most demanding formats, positioning her as a major factor in individual events and a key piece of the U.S. relay effort. 

Margie Freed 
Margie Freed earns her place on the 2026 U.S. Olympic Team through objective qualification and arrives as a rising athlete in the American biathlon pipeline. With improving international results and the ability to contribute across multiple race formats, Freed adds depth and momentum to a U.S. women’s roster that continues to push toward historic Olympic breakthroughs. 

Luci Anderson
Luci Anderson qualifies for the Olympic Team through objective criteria after proving herself in the selection process in Antholz. As part of the next generation of Team USA biathlon talent, Anderson brings growing confidence, endurance, and competitive potential to the roster, with the ability to make an impact both individually and as part of the relay squad. 

Joanne Reid 
Joanne Reid joins the 2026 U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team through discretionary selection, bringing veteran experience and steady international presence into Milano Cortina. Known for her composure, technical skill, and reliability across the biathlon calendar, Reid strengthens the team’s overall depth and provides valuable experience in high-pressure Olympic racing. 

Campbell Wright
Campbell Wright heads into Milano Cortina 2026 as Team USA’s top men’s medal prospect and one of the biggest breakout names in international biathlon. Selected through objective qualification, Wright has delivered world-class results and proven he can contend with the very best in the sport, making him a legitimate podium threat in events like sprint, pursuit, and mass start as the U.S. looks to chase its first-ever Olympic biathlon medal. 

Maxime Germain 
Maxime Germain earns his Olympic nomination through objective criteria and brings strong team value to the U.S. men’s roster. With steady performances and the ability to contribute across multiple formats, Germain adds depth to Team USA’s lineup and will be a key piece in building competitive relay results on the Olympic stage. 

Paul Schommer
Paul Schommer returns to the Olympic Winter Games after qualifying objectively and continues to provide dependable veteran strength for the U.S. men’s team. With experience, consistency, and the ability to deliver solid performances on the World Cup circuit, Schommer brings stability and leadership to a roster that is aiming to push the U.S. program into breakthrough Olympic results. 

Sean Doherty 
Sean Doherty earns his spot on the 2026 Olympic roster through discretionary selection, adding experience and race toughness to the U.S. men’s team. Doherty has been a long-time presence within Team USA biathlon and brings the kind of reliability and grit that is critical in Olympic competition, especially in relay formats where every clean shooting stage can shift the standings. 

Chloe Levins 
Chloe Levins is named the alternate for the U.S. women’s team and remains one of the most promising athletes in the program. Known for her shooting ability and rising international potential, Levins stays firmly in the Olympic picture and could become a key contributor if the roster changes prior to final approval. 

Jake Brown 
Jake Brown is named the alternate for the U.S. men’s team and remains a strong part of Team USA’s depth heading into Milano Cortina. With valuable international experience and continued development, Brown gives the U.S. program a ready option as the team prepares for final Olympic confirmation. 

Biathlon at Milano Cortina 2026 

When biathlon competition begins at the 2026 Winter Games, fans can expect races defined by constant tension. Every missed shot carries immediate consequences, every climb tests endurance, and every shooting stage demands absolute focus. 

With a strengthened Team USA program and a generation of athletes delivering international-level results, Milano Cortina 2026 represents a significant opportunity for American biathlon—one built on years of development, resilience, and steady progress. 

In upcoming articles, we’ll explore individual race formats, shooting strategy, and follow Team USA athletes as they prepare for competition in Anterselva. 

In biathlon, speed sets the pace—but accuracy shapes history.