“I’m very satisfied with what I’ve achieved in my career, but there’s something unfinished that I would really like to accomplish here.”

Germany’s biggest biathlon star at the moment has never won Olympic gold. And this is the final chance for the 31-year-old from Ruhpolding. Soon, her career will be over.

“I’m looking forward to living a ‘normal’ life,” says Franziska Preuß, who has had anything but an easy road to her fourth Olympic Games.

Last season’s overall World Cup winner broke her hand in September. Then she contracted both COVID and influenza in December. She traveled to the World Cup opener in Östersund, only to turn around and head straight back home.

The Olympics began with bronze in the mixed relay, where she skied the final leg for Germany. There was one penalty loop in standing, but the medal gave hope for more. Her form is returning, but is it good enough to win an individual event in Antholz/Anterselva?

Also Read – Olympics 2026: Complete biathlon guide to the women’s 7.5km Sprint

We saw signs that she is approaching peak form in the World Cup round in Nové Mesto, where she reached the podium in the 12.5km Short Individual.

Just before the Olympics, she announced that this would be her final season. Many will remember the extremely tight battle she had with Lou Jeanmonnot for the overall World Cup title last season. It was not decided until they crossed the finish line in the final race in Holmenkollen.

It has now been 12 years since Franziska Preuß made her World Cup debut in the 2013/2014 season. She is longing for quieter days at home in Bavaria with her partner, Simon Schempp, who retired a couple of years ago, and their dog, a regular companion on training sessions at home.

Her Olympic debut came in Sochi in 2014. She then competed in PyeongChang in 2018, Beijing 2022, and now Milano–Torino 2026.

The bronze in the mixed relay was her second Olympic medal. She was also part of the bronze-medal-winning relay team at the Beijing 2022 Games. It is an individual Olympic medal she is chasing. She has won two individual World Championship gold medals. In total, she has 11 World Championship medals, six World Cup victories, and last season’s overall title.

The only thing missing from her collection is an individual Olympic medal.

Biathlon schedule – Milano-Cortina 2026

Sunday, February 8: Mixed Relay (M+W) (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:05 CET: Mixed Relay, Men + Women

Tuesday, February 10: Men 20km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:30 CET: 20km Individual, Men

Wednesday, February 11: Women 15km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Individual, Women

Friday, February 13: Men 10km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 10km Sprint, Men

Saturday, February 14: Women 7.5km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 7.5km Sprint, Women

Sunday, February 15: Men 12.5km Pursuit and Women 10km Pursuit (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:15 CET: 12.5km Pursuit, Men
• 14:45 CET: 10km Pursuit, Women

Tuesday, February 17: Men 4×7.5km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:30 CET: 4×7.5km Relay, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Women 4x6km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 4x6km Relay, Women

Friday, February 20: Men 15km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Mass Start, Men

Saturday, February 21: Women 12.5km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 12.5km Mass Start, Women

Complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Antholz-Anterselva promises breathtaking courses for athletes and spectacular viewing for fans. With every shot and ski stride counting, the biathletes will aim for the podium in every race, making the biathlon one of the most eagerly watched events of the 2026 Winter Games.

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.