French Athletes Target Relay Glory and Hockey Quarter-Final Spot at Milan-Cortina 2026

As of February 17, 2026, the French delegation at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics has matched its historic medal haul of 15, aiming to surpass it further today. With eight of those medals coming from biathlon, France is focusing on the men's relay event at 14:30, hoping to add gold to their tally following a strong showing in individual races. Key contenders include Émilien Jacquelin, who recently earned his first individual Olympic medal in biathlon. Earlier, the French hockey team faces a critical match at 12:10 against Germany, attempting to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 1992.

Beyond biathlon and hockey, French athletes are active in other events: two competitors have qualified in the men's freestyle big air, and three French athletes will take part in the combined Nordic events. The day also features intense competition, notably due to potential large time gaps influenced by the grand ski jump segment.

This Olympic milestone complements other recent French sporting achievements, such as the rugby team's dominant 54-12 win over Wales in the Six Nations, and Oriane Bertone's fourth consecutive French climbing championship. The ongoing Winter Games remain a focal point for French sporting excellence, with hopes high to setting new records by the Games' close.