France Sets Record Medal Count at 2026 Winter Olympics, Eyes Further Success

France has already set a new national record by securing 16 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, as revealed by French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari during an appearance on RMC's Apolline Matin. This surpasses the previous record established at the 2022 Beijing Games. The biathlon team has been a major contributor with nine medals, including four golds, and the men's biathlon relay team claimed a significant victory that helped boost the total. France currently holds sixth place in the overall medal rankings, with five gold medals, climbing two spots and surpassing even countries like Sweden and Switzerland.

Despite the successes in biathlon and cross-country skiing, France has experienced setbacks in alpine skiing. Notably, Clément Noël and Nils Allègre narrowly missed podium finishes, with Allègre finishing fourth in the Super-G by a mere three hundredths of a second. Such results highlight the fierce competition and unpredictability inherent in Olympic sports.

On February 18, multiple French athletes competed across disciplines. Mathis Desloges aimed for a fourth medal in cross-country skiing team sprint events, while the women's alpine slalom featured contenders Marion Chevrier, Marie Lamure, Caitlin McFarlane, and Doriane Escané. In snowboarding, Romain Allemand placed fifth in the slopestyle final. The French women's biathlon relay team looked to emulate their male counterparts' recent achievements.

Minister Ferrari expressed optimism about earning an additional five medals before the closing ceremony in Verona, targeting a total of 21 medals. She underscored that this progress stems from meticulous preparations dating back to 2019, ahead of the Paris 2024 Games, and acknowledged both the joys and challenges of Olympic competition. Promising athletes like Allègre illustrate a bright future for French winter sports.