Biathlon
Ole Einar Bjørndalen blasts Norwegian Biathlon Federation over Karoline Knotten case: “A bit ashamed to be Norwegian”
December 13, 2025 / NRK Sport
Ole Einar Bjørndalen criticized the Norwegian Biathlon Federation for how it handled Karoline Knotten after she was left off the national team despite being Norway’s second‑best woman in last season’s World Cup. National team boss Per Arne Botnan rejected the criticism, saying the federation has supported Knotten with medical services and weapons testing, while Knotten herself agreed with Bjørndalen that she has largely had to arrange her own training camps and logistics. The debate unfolded on the day Norway’s women finished second in the Hochfilzen World Cup relay, where Knotten performed strongly.
Swedes well-placed before the biathlon pursuit: “Can do anything”
December 13, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Ahead of Saturday’s World Cup men’s pursuit in Hochfilzen, Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel will start in the lead after winning Friday’s sprint. Sweden’s Martin Ponsiluoma (6th in the sprint) and Sebastian Samuelsson (9th) are in striking distance, with expert Uschi Disl believing Samuelsson may be Sweden’s best podium hope. The men’s pursuit begins at 12:00, followed by the women’s relay at 14:15.
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Johan‑Olav Botn on fire – takes fourth individual podium of the season
December 13, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Norway’s Johan‑Olav Botn climbed from fourth to third in the Hochfilzen pursuit with 19/20 shooting, securing his fourth individual podium this season. The race was won by France’s Éric Perrot with a perfect 20/20, ahead of Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel, while Botn’s form cements him as the current World Cup and sprint standings leader and a leading Olympic favorite for Milan–Cortina 2026.
Biathlon: Giacomel second in Hochfilzen pursuit behind Perrot; Italian women’s relay struggles
December 13, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel finished second in the men’s 12.5 km pursuit at the IBU World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria, after a tight duel with France’s Eric Perrot, who won with clean shooting. Norway’s World Cup leader Johan‑Olav Botn was third, while Italy’s women’s relay had a down day, finishing well back.
Biathlon World Cup: Austria’s women 8th in relay; men disappoint in pursuit
December 13, 2025 / krone.at
At the Hochfilzen home World Cup, Austria’s women’s relay (Anna Gandler, Anna Andexer, Anna Juppe, Lisa Hauser) started promisingly but faded to 8th; Sweden won ahead of Norway and Germany. In the men’s pursuit, Simon Eder was the best Austrian in 30th with three penalty loops, while David Komatz finished 50th and Fabian Müllauer was lapped; Eric Perrot won from Tommaso Giacomel and Johan‑Olav Botn. Hauser and head coach Reinhard Gösweiner urged patience, with Austrians aiming to rebound in Sunday’s pursuit and relay events.
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Surging Olympic form: Maren Kirkeeide takes powerful podium in Hochfilzen sprint
December 12, 2025 / Eurosport Norge
Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide finished second in the Women’s World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen, shooting 9/10 and skiing the fastest among the top finishers. She was beaten by France’s Lou Jeanmonnot by 15.3 seconds, with Sweden’s Anna Magnusson third. It’s Kirkeeide’s first individual World Cup podium this season, boosting her case for Milano–Cortina 2026.
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Norwegian biathlete dejected after nightmare race: “The Olympic train has probably left”
December 12, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Johan‑Olav Botn narrowly missed another World Cup podium in Hochfilzen, finishing fourth just 9.1 seconds behind winner Tommaso Giacomel. Vebjørn Sørum endured a disastrous sprint with four misses and 85th place, admitting his Milano–Cortina 2026 chances have likely vanished unless he produces dominant results in the IBU Cup and returns to the World Cup in top form. Several other Norwegians placed inside the top 20, including Sturla Holm Lægreid (5th) and Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen (8th).
Ponsiluoma just off the podium in Hochfilzen sprint after one miss: “Very happy”
December 12, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
Martin Ponsiluoma finished sixth in the men’s biathlon World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen after a single miss in the final standing shooting; he hit 9 of 10 shots and was pleased with his performance. Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson, fast on skis but with two misses (one prone, one standing), placed ninth. Tommaso Giacomel won ahead of Éric Perrot and Philipp Horn.
Biathlon, Italy shines: Tommaso Giacomel wins Hochfilzen sprint; Dorothea Wierer fourth
December 12, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Tommaso Giacomel claimed his second career World Cup victory by winning the men’s sprint in Hochfilzen, Austria, with clean shooting and strong skiing. The result lifts the Italian to third in the overall World Cup standings. On the women’s side, Dorothea Wierer finished fourth, adding to Italy’s standout day.
Biathlon: Elvira Öberg questions potential Russian return — “Should Russians travel around Europe with weapons?”
December 11, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish biathletes Elvira Öberg and Sebastian Samuelsson react to Russia’s plan to appeal the IBU’s suspension of Russian biathletes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Samuelsson says it would feel strange to see Russians with rifles competing in Europe and stresses trust in the IBU’s rules, while Öberg also expresses confidence that the IBU will make the right decision. The piece contrasts differing federation policies, noting that some Russian and Belarusian cross‑country skiers are returning under FIS rules starting in Davos.
Biathlon: Russian federation sues to join Olympic qualification
December 11, 2025 / Kronen Zeitung (krone.at)
Russia’s biathlon federation has filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging the exclusion of its athletes from qualifying events for the Winter Olympics. Experts rate the chances of success as very low, noting most Russian biathletes are formally affiliated with the military, which prevents them from meeting the ‘neutral athlete’ criteria. In addition, Olympic quota places are already allocated and remaining wildcard points must be earned at World Cup races through mid‑January—events Russia has been barred from since 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Olympic qualification: Russia’s biathletes file CAS appeal to be allowed to compete
December 11, 2025 / Sportschau
Russia’s biathlon federation (RBU) has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking access for its athletes to Olympic qualification events for Milano–Cortina 2026. The move follows a partial CAS ruling that obliged FIS to allow Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders to try to qualify under a neutral status, while the IBU has kept Russia and Belarus suspended since 2022 and extended that suspension in early 2025. With the Games starting on 6 February, time is short; the IOC continues to bar Russia as a nation but allows qualified individuals to compete as neutrals if criteria are met.