Three U.S. biathletes named to 2026 Olympic team after Annecy WC3

LAKE PLACID — Margie Freed, Maxime Germain and Deedra Irwin have officially been named to the U.S. Biathlon Olympic Team for the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games (Feb. 6–22).

The objective selections were announced by the U.S. Biathlon International Competition Committee (ICC) on Sunday after the conclusion of the World Cup 3 men’s individual races in Annecy‑Le Grand‑Bornand, France.

The trio joins American teammate Campbell Wright of Wanaka, New Zealand, as the first four qualifiers for the 2026 Olympic biathlon team. Wright, a dual citizen, met preliminary U.S. Biathlon criteria earlier this year by winning two silver medals at the World Championships in February.

Freed, 28, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, is set for her Olympic debut. A graduate of U.S. Biathlon’s Project X program, she first encountered the sport at a 2019 Talent ID Camp and was reintroduced by Green Racing Project teammates at Craftsbury in 2020. She has steadily improved in shooting and skiing, debuted on the World Cup in 2023, and posted a season‑best 35th in the Östersund sprint to secure nomination.

Germain, 24, of Chamonix‑Mont‑Blanc, France, also earned his first Olympic berth after a breakout season start. He contributed to fifth‑ and fourth‑place men’s relay finishes and a sixth‑place mixed relay, and notched personal bests of 11th in the sprint (with one standing miss) and 14th in the pursuit, meeting qualification standards.

Irwin, 33, of Pulaski, Wisconsin, heads to her second Olympics. Her résumé includes Beijing 2022—where she placed seventh in the women’s individual (the best U.S. Olympic biathlon result ever), plus 37th in the sprint, 47th in the pursuit, 23rd in the mass start, and 11th in the relay—along with four World Championships and seven World Cup seasons.

“I am very excited to see all my hard work in biathlon pay off,” Freed said, thanking coaches, family and friends. Germain added: “I am stoked to have qualified… The goal is now to perform there.” Irwin said, “It’s an honor and privilege to represent my team, the U.S. Army and all the communities that supported me.”

The U.S. will finalize its Olympic biathlon team on Jan. 6 after timed trials in Antholz, Italy. One additional objective and one discretionary selection will be made for both men and women, with all nominations subject to U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval.