The women’s Olympic biathlon relay ended on Wednesday with the next gold rush for France. Norway legend Johannes Thingnes Bø then highlighted final runner Julia Simon, who in his eyes has a unique quality.
The French gold in the women’s biathlon relay was in danger for just a few minutes on Wednesday. Starting runner Camille Bened had a penalty and left Lou Jeanmonnot about a minute behind at the first change.
However, Jeanmonnot quickly made things clear. The best biathlete in the world at the moment completely made up the deficit and got her team back on track for gold. Océane Michelon and Julia Simon gave the competition in third and fourth positions no chance and secured France’s next Olympic victory.
Biathlon coach only worries about gold for a short time
“When I saw that Lou was getting the team back on track, I said to myself that nothing can stop us anymore,” head coach Cyril Burdet revealed in the mixed zone that he wasn’t really afraid of gold.
This was once again thanks to Simon, who did her usual good job as the last runner, got through with two spares and, as so often in her career, crossed the line with the French national flag in her hand.
Bø: Julia Simon the “best relay runner of all time”
Norway legend Johannes Thingnes Bø then gave praise that couldn’t have been greater.
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“For me, Julia Simon is the best relay runner of all time,” he enthused on the “NRK” microphone. For him, the 29-year-old belongs in the cross-gender all-star team of the games, the Norwegian continued.
“She is fantastic on this track. She shoots quickly and scores ten goals. She seems to be the only one at this Olympics who is not afraid to take the first shot,” said Bø, explaining his assessment of the ten-time world champion, who has also been a three-time Olympic champion since the days of Antholz.