There are always two. That means double the chance of success. And they are extremely important to each other. We have seen one succeed while the other has failed.

At the World Championships in Oberhof in 2023, it was a celebration day for big sister Hanna Öberg. Gold in both the 15km individual and the mixed relay. Silver in the sprint and bronze in the relay.

At the same time, SVT found little sister Elvira walking in the forest. Sick with a cold and unable to compete. She missed two races and “only” won bronze in the relay.

World Championships in Lenzerheide 2025: Reversed roles.

Elvira delivered a superb race and celebrated gold. She claimed a total of three medals at the championships.

Last (!) in the mass start: big sister Hanna with nine penalty loops. Yet she picked up the Swedish flag and carried it the entire finishing stretch to honor her little sister. Their father, Thomas, cried like a child in the stands.

That is how they show up for each other.

Also Read – Olympics 2026: Complete biathlon guide to the women’s 15km Individual 

Who succeeds this time?

Sometimes they succeed together, as in the Olympic relay in Beijing four years ago. That time it was gold together with Linn Gestblom (Persson) and Mona Brorsson. But who succeeds this time?

Twenty-six-year-old Elvira also took silver in both the sprint and the pursuit in Beijing 2022. Then, 30-year-old Hanna was nowhere near the podium in the individual events, but she won the distance race at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

One thing is clear: both have medal chances in every distance they enter.

Hanna has had her best results in the 15km individual, while Elvira has made greater strides in the sprint, pursuit, and mass start.

Piteå is the key

Somewhat surprisingly, it is Piteå in northern Sweden that has delivered the biggest contribution to the Swedish national biathlon team.

Besides the Öberg sisters, Anna Magnusson also comes from the city that boasts Sweden’s strongest cross-country skiing club, with top athletes such as Ebba Andersson, Jonna Sundling, and Emma Ribom in its ranks.

However, none of those three are from Piteå. The biathlon trio, on the other hand, are — although they have since moved to Östersund, like many others.

Add Värmland’s Linn Gestblom or Dalarna’s Ella Halvarsson, and Sweden could once again have a winning team in the women’s relay. But then they will have to beat a French team with four athletes who are all capable of winning individual gold.

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.