The Stars that Shone Vibrant Early – From the Youth Olympic Games to 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Let’s look again: Some biathletes had been profitable at a really younger age and represented their nation on the Youth Olympic Games, the place they received medals. If we take a better look, we will see that a few of them at the moment are additionally competing in Milano Cortina, the place they’re additionally preventing for the highest locations.

Athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 take part within the Youth Olympic Games. It is sort of a preview of what athletes can anticipate after they take part within the grownup Olympic Games. The Winter version has already taken place 4 occasions, first in Innsbruck in 2012, then in Lillehammer in 2016, Lausanne in 2020 and most lately in Gangwon in 2024. Which biathletes received medals again then and at the moment are on the beginning line in Antholz?

Franziska Preuss dominated the competitions in 2012

Franziska Preuss was an impressive athlete on the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 2012. At the age of 17, she received two gold medals (dash, blended relay) and a silver medal within the pursuit. On prime of that, there was one other gold medal within the blended biathlon/cross-country relay. These successes are thought of the cornerstone of her profitable profession. She has already competed in three Winter Olympics (2014, 2018, 2022) and received a bronze medal within the relay in Pyeongchang. For her fourth look, she has set herself the aim of successful a person medal. Her recollections of Innsbruck could assist her obtain this.

Lou Jeanmonnot and Emilien Claude had been profitable in 2016

Four years later, Lou Jeanmonnot competes within the YOG and received the bronze medal within the pursuit. Emilien Claude took gold within the dash. Both competed collectively within the Single Mixed Relay and narrowly miss out on one other medal – in a photograph end in opposition to the Russian staff. Marthe Kråkstad Johansen was much more profitable. She took dwelling three silver medals and the gold medal within the blended relay.

From the youth class to the video games in Antholz in simply six years

Jeanne Richard already confirmed in Lausanne 2020 that she has what it takes to be a profitable biathlete. She received gold within the blended relay and silver within the dash. Anna Andexer from Austria was additionally among the many medalists, successful bronze within the dash. Now they’re each competing within the Winter Olympics for the primary time.

The athletes have actually discovered from their experiences on the Youth Olympic Games on their strategy to changing into the world’s greatest of their sport. We can comply with how they carry out. Who do you assume among the many profitable YOG athletes might be among the many medal winners in Antholz?

Photos: IBU I archive