Biathlon
Sivert Guttorm Bakken back among the world’s best after long layoff
December 11, 2025 / Sportschau
Norway’s Sivert Guttorm Bakken has returned to top-level biathlon after nearly two years out with myocarditis following a COVID-19 vaccination, including heart surgery and a long rehabilitation. After rebuilding through the 2024/25 IBU Cup—highlighted by a podium in Obertilliach and a European sprint title—he opened the 2025/26 World Cup in Östersund with 4th in the 20 km, 7th in the sprint and 9th in the pursuit. With strong early-season results, he is close to realizing his goal of competing at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics despite fierce competition within Norway.
Biathlon: Russian athletes appeal suspension to CAS
December 11, 2025 / SVT Sport
Russia’s sports minister says the country’s biathletes have appealed their suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to compete internationally again. The IBU confirmed receipt of the appeal and reiterated that its rules and statutes currently do not allow participation of neutral athletes in IBU events. The move follows recent decisions in other FIS disciplines allowing neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete and qualify for Milan–Cortina 2026, and the appeal reportedly covers eight Russian biathletes and para‑biathletes suspended since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.
Biathlon: Return after credit card scandal – France shields star Julia Simon at comeback
December 11, 2025 / SPORT1
Julia Simon returns to the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen after serving the final month of her suspension related to a credit card affair. The French federation is tightly controlling media access, barring questions about the case and avoiding a pre‑race press conference. Federation director Stéphane Bouthiaux says justice has run its course and the focus will be on Simon’s sporting comeback, with expectations cautious until her first race.
Julia Simon set to return at Hochfilzen World Cup after six‑month ban
December 10, 2025 / Sportschau
France’s Julia Simon will rejoin the Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen after serving a six‑month federation ban (five months suspended) that began on November 7. She was convicted in October for credit card fraud involving teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet and a team physio, receiving a three‑month suspended sentence and fines; the French federation also sanctioned her. The article notes ongoing turbulence in the French team amid rumors of equipment tampering, which the federation denies, and quotes coaches highlighting Simon’s focus challenges as she prepares away from the team.
Illness wave hits Finland’s biathlon team before Hochfilzen World Cup
December 10, 2025 / SPORT1
Finland’s federation announced multiple late roster changes due to illness ahead of the Hochfilzen World Cup. Noora Kaisa Keränen, Kalle Loukkaanhuhta and Turkka Nieminen are out, with Arttu Heikkinen and Jimi Klemettinen called up from the IBU Cup. Despite the setbacks, recent strong form from Suvi Minkkinen and Sonja Leinamo keeps Finland optimistic.
Biathlon in Hochfilzen: Preuß and Grotian ruled out
December 10, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s Franziska Preuß and Selina Grotian will miss the Hochfilzen Biathlon World Cup after both were confirmed ill with COVID-19. Preuß’s absence also costs the DSV a special extra women’s start quota reserved for the defending overall World Cup champion, while Marlene Fichtner is called back and Julia Kink and David Zobel join the team. The DSV travels with six men and six women, shifting focus to Le Grand-Bornand the following week.
First in “her” Östersund: Wierer, the champion who still moves fans
December 09, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Dorothea Wierer opened what she says will be her final season by winning the women’s individual in Östersund, the venue where she has the most career victories. She edged Finland’s Leinamo by 0.3 seconds thanks to sharp shooting and strong skiing, capping a resilient comeback after illness- and injury-hit campaigns that had cast doubt on her future. The piece notes her emotional finish, the Italian staff’s joy, and hints that rivals must again reckon with her—especially at Anterselva.
Biathlon: Preuß’s return remains uncertain
December 09, 2025 / SPORT1
Franziska Preuß has been named to Germany’s team for the Hochfilzen World Cup, but a final decision on her start will be made at short notice after illness (influenza and COVID-19) forced her to miss Östersund. Sport director Felix Bitterling said the women’s squad plans to field Vanessa Voigt, Janina Hettich-Walz, Julia Tannheimer, Anna Weidel and Julia Kink, with Selina Grotian and Preuß traveling and assessed in the coming 1–2 days. The Hochfilzen program begins Friday with the 7.5 km sprint, followed by relay and pursuit, while the men’s team includes Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Philipp Horn, Danilo Riethmüller, Simon Kaiser and David Zobel.
Unique footage: Stina Nilsson tries biathlon for the first time
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
SVT Sport shares never-before-seen footage from the show Kallprat of Swedish star Stina Nilsson testing biathlon for the very first time, predating her 2020 switch from cross‑country skiing. Nilsson reflects on her four years in biathlon, including a World Cup podium, before moving to long‑distance skiing with Team Ragde in April 2024, saying she has no regrets but finds long races suit her better.
Credit card scandal – Julia Simon returns to the World Cup after suspension
December 09, 2025 / krone.at
France’s Julia Simon has been named to the team for the Hochfilzen World Cup, marking her first World Cup races of the Olympic season after a federation suspension. Simon had received a suspended three‑month jail term and fines for making online purchases with stolen credit card data belonging to teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet and a team physiotherapist. The French federation imposed a six‑month competition and training ban with five months suspended, causing her to miss only the Östersund opener.
Biathlon home World Cup: Hochfilzen ready thanks to 15,000 m³ of snow
December 09, 2025 / krone.at
After Lisa Hauser’s sensational pursuit victory in Östersund, the Biathlon World Cup now moves to her home venue in Hochfilzen. Despite a warm spell of up to +10°C, organizers say six races from Friday to Sunday can go ahead thanks to 15,000 cubic meters of stored or produced snow.
Biathlon in Hochfilzen: Germany hopes Preuß and Grotian are fit; two roster changes announced
December 09, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s biathlon director Felix Bitterling says Franziska Preuß (recent COVID-19 and flu) and Selina Grotian (illness) are provisionally named for this week’s World Cup in Hochfilzen, with a final fitness call due in 1–2 days. David Zobel and Julia Kink are promoted from the IBU Cup to the World Cup squad, replacing Lucas Fratzscher and Marlene Fichtner after a modest opening weekend in Östersund. The team will travel with six men and seven women as the focus remains on staying healthy ahead of the Olympic season peak in February.