There are still two places left for the Olympic Games in the French biathlon squad. The World Cup in Oberhof will probably decide who gets the contract. According to national coach Simon Fourcade, two names have the best cards.
What does the full French biathlon men’s Olympic squad look like? This question will most likely be answered after the World Cup in Oberhof. National coach Simon Fourcade sees two athletes clearly in pole position, especially if they perform well in the sprint race.
“It is clear that these placings play a role for the Olympics, and if Oscar Lombardot and Valentin Lejeune score a lot of points in Oberhof, an Olympic nomination for them will clearly take shape. Simply because the door for the other athletes will then no longer be open,” Fourcade told the “Nordic Magazine”.
Because there is virtually no break between the World Cup races in Oberhof and Ruhpolding, “we will take the athletes from the World Cup team with us to the games who are here and deserve it,” added the former top biathlete.
Two biathlon stars come away empty-handed
If Lejeune and Lombardot get the nod and are nominated, Antonin Guigonnat and Emilien Claude would probably suffer. They also started in the World Cup this winter, but didn’t take advantage of their chance there. It will probably take outstanding performances at the IBU Cup weekend on Arber to beat Lejeune and Lombardot in the internal race.
The French Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Eric Perrot, Fabien Claude and Emilien Jacquelin are already certain to take part in the races in Antholz. In the women’s category, Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon, Océane Michelon and Camille Bened have secured their tickets. According to the association, a decision will be made on January 20th or 23rd as to who gets the last free place.