For the second consecutive season, the French Nordic teams have included a group called “Excellence 2030” in their rosters. This group was created to identify promising young athletes in the junior category and support them on their journey to the 2030 Olympic Games, which will be held in the French Alps.

In 2030, the Olympic Games will be held on home soil for the French teams. With this goal in mind, the French Ski Federation (FFS) decided in 2025 to form a group of junior athletes who could be potential medallists at the next Olympic Games.

So, this year, the “Excellence 2030” biathlon group consists of a team of five men and five women.

Also Read: French biathlon teams for season 2026/2027

Members of the “Excellence 2030” Group 2026/2027

WOMEN

• Lola Bugeaud – Megève Ski Nordique (Mont-Blanc), FR
• Namou Candau-Armand – Bauges Ski Nordique (Savoie), FR
• Matilda Dodos – CS Nordique Villard de Lans (Dauphiné), FR
• Juliette Oliva – Ski Club Sallanches Tête Noire (Mont-Blanc), FR
• Louise Roguet – Ski Club Nordique Praz-de-Lys-Sommand (Mont-Blanc), FR

MEN

• Antonin Delsol – Club des Sports de la Féclaz (Savoie), FR
• Flavio Guy – Risoux Club Chaux Neuve (Massif Jurassien), FR
• Enzo Bouillet – Abbaye Ski Club (Massif Jurassien), FR
• Nans Madelenat – CS Nordique Villard-de-Lans (Dauphiné), FR
• Judicaël Perrillat-Bottonet – Ski Club Grand Bornand (Mont-Blanc), FR

For several years now, France has been one of the leading nations in biathlon. Today, the country is seeing a new generation of young talent emerge, inspired by great athletes such as Martin Fourcade and Julia Simon.

Namou Candau-Armand, who is part of this new generation, holds Julia Simon up as a role model.

“Julia Simon has inspired me since I was very young with her determination to always strive for more and the impression that she remains mentally unshakable.”

For these young biathletes, this is an important step in building their careers as elite athletes.

Now in his second year with the team, Namou Candau-Armand shares her goals with ProXCskiing.com despite her recent ankle injury.

“First, I’d like to make a full recovery from my ankle injury in time for the season, but other than that, I’d like to finish on the individual podium at the Junior World Championships, do well in the French Cup with some podium finishes and aim for the overall title, and get into the swing of things at the Junior Cup!”

After finishing second in the relay at this year’s Junior World Championships, she makes no secret of her long-term goal, while keeping a cool head.

“Make steady progress toward reaching the level needed to compete at the 2030 Olympics”.

Among the young men in the group, Enzo Bouillet shares his thoughts on joining the team.

“For me, the Excellence 2030 group represents the first step toward the French national team, which I think is very important for advancing to Groups B and A.”

After making significant progress last season, the French U21 champion in the sprint and pursuit is aiming to qualify for the Junior World Championships, but that’s not all.

“My main goal for next season is to qualify for the Junior World Championships. But I’d also really like to compete in an IBU Cup.”

This year, Enzo Bouillet earned two podium finishes in the Junior Cup: second place in the mass start in Goms (Switzerland), and first place in the relay in Martell–Val Martello (Italy). Enough to inspire big dreams for the long term.

“My long-term goal is to compete in the World Cup and, if possible, to participate in the 2030 Olympic Games, but that’s coming up very quickly.”

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

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