Heart-wrenching scenes in Anterselva concluded the biathlon competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Dorothea Wierer, an icon of Italian sports, officially ended her career by placing fifth in the mass start. Meanwhile, in the men's competition, Tommaso Giacomel, racing for gold, had to withdraw from the course due to a sudden pain attack, dashing the hosts' hopes for a podium finish in this event.

Dorothea Wierer's final race

The Italian multi-medalist ended her career with 5th place in the biathlon mass start in Anterselva, losing only to the dominant French women.

Tommaso Giacomel's drama

The race leader withdrew from the course due to sudden pain. The Italian representative lost the chance for a certain Olympic medal in front of his home crowd.

Lukas Hofer's record

The experienced Italian finished his final Olympic race in 25th position, becoming the biathlete with the highest number of appearances in Olympic history.

Saturday's competition in Anterselva was full of extreme emotions for Italian fans. Dorothea Wierer, a three-time Crystal Globe winner, took her final shot in her professional career. Despite two misses at the shooting range, Wierer managed to secure a solid fifth place in the mass start race. The women's mass start was dominated by French representatives, with Oceane Michelon taking the win. The team's technical director, Klaus Hoellrigl, called Wierer a legend, emphasizing her key role in popularizing biathlon in Italy. The day before, the men's competition provided dramatic scenes. Tommaso Giacomel, leading the race with a large advantage after flawless shooting in the prone position, suffered a sudden side pain that forced him to leave the course. Initial diagnoses suggested issues with the spleen, but FISI doctors reassured fans by reporting the athlete's stable condition. Anterselva (Antholz) is the historic capital of biathlon in Italy, regularly hosting World Cup events and World Championships since the 1970s, renowned as one of the most demanding venues due to its high-altitude location. In the shadow of Giacomel's drama, Lukas Hofer also experienced his farewell to Olympic tracks. The 36-year-old veteran placed 25th, allowing him to go down in history as the biathlete with the record number of Olympic starts. „Dorothea Wierer ha fatto la storia del biathlon italiano. E' una leggenda per tutti ma per la nostra squadra rappresenta qualcosa di unico.” (Dorothea Wierer made history in Italian biathlon. She is a legend for everyone, but for our team, she represents something unique.) — Klaus Hoellrigl Among the notable events was a fair play gesture by Fabien Claude and Campbell Wright, who slowed down at the end of the mass start to cross the finish line together with Italian Nicola Romanin, entertaining the gathered audience despite their distant positions in the standings.

Mentioned People

  • Dorothea Wierer — Italian biathlete, three-time Crystal Globe winner, ending her career at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Tommaso Giacomel — Young Italian biathlete, favorite in the mass start, who suffered a setback during the competition.
  • Lisa Vittozzi — Italian biathlete, Olympic medalist, who placed 18th in the mass start.
  • Lukas Hofer — Italian biathlon veteran ending his sports career.