“Will stay with me for the rest of my life”
Biathlete makes illness public
May 9, 2026 – 6:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Amandine Mengin looks back on difficult months. The French biathlete is now making public an illness that will accompany her throughout her life.
Since May 2025, the French biathlete Amandine Mengin has been living with the chronic autoimmune disease Hashimoto thyroiditis. The 21-year-old revealed this in an interview with “Nordic Magazine”.
“When I had my blood test done, they found a thyroid disorder with alarming levels. I then underwent a thyroid ultrasound and was diagnosed with this condition,” Mengin said. It is “an autoimmune disease that will accompany me for the rest of my life.”
The Frenchwoman can remember the moment of the diagnosis well: “It wasn’t particularly good news because it brought with it a whole series of side effects.” These included weight gain, hormonal changes, severe fatigue, and aches and pains “that are difficult to shake. Let’s put it this way: It just sucks.”
The illness also put Mengin in a difficult situation in terms of sport. At the beginning of preparation for the 2025/2026 winter season, she had great doubts. “I lost all confidence I ever had in myself. I questioned myself dozens of times – if not more. But most of all, I had great doubts and wondered if things would ever look up again,” Mengin admitted. In addition, it is difficult to admit that you are sick – “especially since you did not choose this illness.”
However, the early diagnosis proved to be important for the Frenchwoman. “We noticed it very early on, and I didn’t have time to realize that I had gained nine kilograms – mainly due to water retention. I didn’t even ask myself why I was gaining weight and why my training was going so badly,” Mengin said.
The subsequent medical treatment was effective. Last winter Mengin celebrated a victory and several podium finishes in the IBU Cup. There was also a small crystal ball, three placements in the “Flower Ceremonies” at the European Championships and two top 30 results in the World Cup.
