U.S. Biathlon is entering a new Olympic cycle with a familiar face at the helm of its men’s program: Emil Bormetti, promoted after four seasons as assistant national team head coach.

The appointment marks a structural shift for the organization, which will now operate with dedicated head coaches for each gender going into 2026/2027. Bormetti leads the men’s side, with Mike Gibson heading the women’s team. Both report to High Performance Director Lowell Bailey, who also oversees Head Shooting Coach Matt Emmons, Head Development Coach Raleigh Goessling, and Head Physiology Coach Justin Wadsworth.

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Bormetti’s relationship with the squad runs deep. As assistant to former head coach Armin Auchentaller, he was a constant presence across training methodology, strength programming, athlete development, and performance analysis for both the men’s and women’s teams. A former competitive biathlete himself, he also brings extensive ski service experience at the World Cup and Olympic levels.

That continuity was a central theme in how the program’s leadership described the move.

“Over the last four seasons, Emil has been a key contributor to the growth and success of our National Team program,” said President and CEO Jack Gierhart in a press release and added:

“His leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to athlete development have helped elevate our program at every level. We are excited to have him leading the Men’s National Team as we begin this next quad.”

Bailey went further in framing the significance of the hire: “Emil’s work ethic, technical knowledge, and athlete-centered approach have earned him the respect of both athletes and staff. Over the last four years, he has played a major role in building the culture, professionalism, and performance foundation of this team. He understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, and I’m confident he will continue driving the program forward as Men’s Head Coach.”

The reaction from the athletes was equally warm. Two-time Olympian Campbell Wright, who has known Bormetti since his junior years competing for New Zealand, summed it up plainly: “I am very excited to have Emil as the Men’s National Team Head Coach. I’ve worked with him since I was 15 years old competing for New Zealand, so he’s been a huge part of my growth as a biathlete. I am looking forward to continuing to work with him!”

Read More: Wright on target: Campbell’s aim for biathlon excellence

For his part, Bormetti acknowledged the momentum built during the previous cycle as motivation for what comes next.

“I am very excited to take on the role of Men’s National Team Head Coach, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work with such a great group of athletes and staff,” he said. “We have made incredible progress as a team over this last quad, and I can’t wait to continue the momentum!”

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