Julia Simon of France celebrates after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- France's Julia Simon staged a strong comeback to win the women's 15km individual biathlon in 41:15.6 at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Wednesday.
Simon overcame an early setback in the first standing shooting, where her only miss of the day dropped her around 40 seconds off the lead. She responded with two flawless shooting stages and fast skiing on the hard-packed tracks, steadily moving back up the standings before pulling clear to secure the title.
The French biathlete said the moment still felt surreal after her win, describing the victory as the realization of a long-held ambition. "It feels like a dream right now. It's amazing. It's a race I have dreamed of."
Lou Jeanmonnot secured a French 1-2 finish. She had fallen out of medal contention after two misses, but produced a clean final shooting and skied strongly on the last loop to take silver, finishing 53.1 seconds behind Simon.
Bulgaria's Lora Hristova delivered the biggest surprise of the race, shooting clean across all four stages to earn the bronze, at 1:04.5. It marked the first major international podium finish of her career, with her previous best result being 13th place in the 15km individual at last year's IBU World Championships.
Hristova admitted the emotions had yet to fully sink in. "To be honest, I don't feel anything right now. I'm just completely hyped," she said. "I'm happy to say I made it a great race to watch."
The Bulgarian added that the medal carried significance far beyond her personal breakthrough, describing it as an important moment for her country and for the future of the sport at home.
"This is a big step for Bulgaria, for Bulgarian life," she said. "I hope that I will inspire a lot of involvement in Bulgaria."
Germany's Vanessa Voigt also hit all 20 targets to finish fourth, 1:17.4 behind the winner. Italian home favorite Dorothea Wierer placed fifth, 16.5 seconds further back.
China's Meng Fanqi finished 26th in 44:37.0, missing only once in the shooting. The result marked her personal best at a major international event and represented China's best Olympic finish in the event since 2010, when Liu Xianying placed 20th at the Vancouver Games. Another Chinese athlete, Chu Yuanmeng, crossed the line in 46:33.9 to finish 54th. ■
Members of Bulgaria pose for a photo after the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Members of France pose for a photo after the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Franziska Preuss of Germany competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Spectators cheer during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Athletes compete during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Chu Yuanmeng of China is ready to depart during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Meng Fanqi of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Meng Fanqi of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Meng Fanqi of China poses for a photo after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Meng Fanqi of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Chu Yuanmeng of China competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Meng Fanqi of China passes the finish line during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
bronze medalist Lora Hristova of Bulgaria reacts during the awarding cermony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Lora Hristova (front) of Bulgaria competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
bronze medalist Lora Hristova of Bulgaria bites her medal during the awarding cermony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Bronze medalist Lora Hristova of Bulgaria poses for a photo during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France smiles after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France weeps during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France poses for a photo during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Gold medalist (C) Julia Simon of France poses for a photo with teammates after the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France reacts after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Julia Simon (bottom) of France celebrates with her coach after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France weeps during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Julia Simon of France competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Julia Simon of France competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Julia Simon (front) of France competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France reacts at the finish line after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France competes during the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France weeps during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Julia Simon of France celebrates after the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France weeps during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France poses for a photo during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Gold medalist Julia Simon of France celebrates during the awarding ceremony of the biathlon women's 15km individual match at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
