Led by Mathis Desloges, France take Olympic relay silver behind Klaebo's Norway

The French men's relay team earned Olympic silver in the 4x7.5 km cross‑country relay at Val di Fiemme on Sunday, propelled by an explosive third leg from 23‑year‑old Mathis Desloges.

France ran a strong, well‑executed race and closed behind an untouchable Norway. Norway, powered by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, won comfortably; France finished 22.22 seconds back with Italy third more than 25 seconds behind the French. The result marks France's fourth straight Olympic relay podium (from Sochi to Beijing and now Milan–Cortina) and the nation's 14th medal at these Games.

The French order worked well. First leg Théo Schely kept the team in touch and handed off to Hugo Lapalus just 10.6 seconds behind Norway. Lapalus held the position and set up Desloges, who launched from fourth place and produced a dominant leg to move France into medal contention. Victor Lovera then closed the job on the anchor leg to secure silver.

Klæbo continued his remarkable run in Italy, comfortably defending Norway's lead and claiming his fourth Olympic gold in Val di Fiemme. France, meanwhile, can celebrate a superb team performance and another podium from its relays.