Biathlon - 2026 Winter Olympics Predictions & Betting tips
Winter Olympics Biathlon Predictions
Biathlon is expected to rank among the most closely watched sports during the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Be ready to find all the analysis about the best winter sports nations and keep you updated about our biathlon predictions throughout the two weeks Olympic program in Italy, beginning on February 6.
Bet on the Biathlon with Bet365
Biathlon at the 2026 Olympics: predictions for the best events at the Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympic Games
Staged once every four years, the 2026 Winter Olympics will mark a return to Europe after two consecutive editions held in Asia, in South Korea and China. Over a two weeks period, biathlon will be contested in Antholz-Anterselva, with all 11 Olympic events scheduled between February 8 and February 21.
Across the competition, the calendar promises an intense rhythm, featuring four individual races for men and women, complemented by three relay events, resulting in 11 Olympic titles up for grabs.
Discover all of our biathlon predictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, including in-depth analysis, expert insights, and a full overview of the available sports betting opportunities.
Our prediction for the Men's 20km Individual race at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Individual event stands apart as the most punishing discipline in biathlon. With 20 kilometers on skis and a one-minute penalty for every missed shot, there is no room for approximation. Precision, endurance, and mental strength are all tested, making this race a true measure of the sport’s most complete athletes.
After claiming victory in the season’s only Individual race in Östersund, Johan-Olav Botn has firmly established himself as a leading contender. He will face stiff competition from fellow Norwegians such as Sturla Holm Lægreid and Vebjørn Sørum Uldal, as well as from the French duo of Eric Perrot and Quentin Fillon Maillet.
However, Botn’s exceptional consistency sets him apart. Beyond the numbers, the emotional context surrounding the tragic loss of his close friend Sivert Bakken could further fuel his motivation. Taking all factors into account, Johan-Olav Botn stands out as our top pick for the Olympic gold medal in the Individual.
- Our prediction for the winner of the Men's Individual: Johan-Olav Botn to win gold medal
Our prediction for the Women's 15km Individual race at the 2026 Winter Olympics
After capturing the crystal globe in this discipline last season, Lou Jeanmonnot arrives at the Olympics with a good opportunity to secure her first Olympic gold medal in the Individual event. Currently sitting at the top of the overall rankings, the French biathlete has built her success on a rare balance between exceptional shooting accuracy and smooth, efficient skiing.
She will face strong opposition, particularly from the Italian duo of Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi, both of whom are well suited to the demands of the Individual format. However, over the demanding 15km distance, Jeanmonnot appears to hold a clear edge over her rivals, both in terms of consistency and overall form.
- Our prediction for the winner of the Women's Individual: Lou Jeanmonnot to win gold medal
Our prediction for the Men's Sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Competing at home, Tommaso Giacomel could well emerge as one of the standout figures of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Italian has taken a clear step forward this season, racking up four victories, including two Sprint wins, performances that have lifted him to the top of the discipline standings while also placing him among the overall leaders.
Renowned as one of the fastest athletes on skis, Giacomel has also shown notable progress on the shooting range this Olympic year. With that combination, he enters the Games in Antholz-Anterselva as a legitimate gold medal contender, particularly in the Sprint and the Pursuit, scheduled a few days later.
All signs point to an athlete peaking at exactly the right moment, with the home crowd potentially providing an extra edge in the fight for Olympic glory.
- Our prediction for the winner of the Men's Sprint: Tommaso Giacomel to win gold medal
Our prediction for the Women's Sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The women’s Sprint shapes up as one of the most unpredictable races on the Olympic biathlon program, with several athletes realistically in the hunt for gold. Among the leading contenders are Lou Jeanmonnot, Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg, Suvi Minkkinen, and Lisa Vittozzi.
Racing in front of her home supporters, Vittozzi could draw significant energy from the electric atmosphere of Antholz-Anterselva and turn it into Olympic success. After sitting out an entire season, her return to the World Cup circuit was initially cautious. However, her form has continued to rise steadily, as evidenced by two strong Sprint performances, finishing fourth in Annecy and third in Ruhpolding.
With the 2023–2024 overall World Cup champion clearly timing her peak for Milan–Cortina, a medal or even multiple podium finishes, would come as no surprise in this highly competitive Olympic Sprint.
- Our prediction for the winner of the Women's Sprint: Lisa Vittozzi to win gold medal
Our prediction for the Men's Relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As the defending Olympic and World Champions, Norway enter the 2026 Olympic Relay as the clear benchmark of the discipline. Even following the retirement of the Bø brothers, the Scandinavian powerhouse has lost none of its collective strength, a dominance reflected by three wins in four relay races this season.
France, Italy, and Sweden are expected to provide the stiffest opposition, but Norway’s depth remains unmatched. With athletes such as Sturla Holm Lægreid, Martin Uldal, Johan-Olav Botn, and Johannes Dale, the Norwegian quartet has both the consistency and power required to defend its Olympic crown.
- Our prediction for the winner of the Men's Relay: Norway to win gold medal
Our prediction for the Women's Relay at the 2026 Winter Olympics
After recording two relay victories this season, France head into the 2026 Olympic Relay as the team to beat. Spearheaded by Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon, and Océane Michelon, the French quartet arrives in Milan–Cortina with strong momentum after claiming gold at last year’s World Championships.
A dominant force over the past three seasons, the French relay team has made no secret of its ambition: Olympic gold in 2026. Even with serious challenges expected from Norway, Sweden, and Italy, France appear fully equipped, both technically and mentally, to impose their authority when it matters most.
- Our advice for the winner of the Women's Relay: France to win gold medal
Bet on the Biathlon with Bet365
Biathlon at the 2026 Olympics: Event Schedule (UK time)
- Sunday, February 8 at 1:05 PM: Mixed Relay
- Tuesday, February 10 at 12:30 PM: Men's Individual
- Wednesday, February 11 at 1:15 PM: Women's Individual
- Friday, February 13 at 1:00 PM: Men's Sprint
- Saturday, February 14 at 1:45 PM: Women's Sprint
- Sunday, February 15 at 10:15 AM: Men's Pursuit
- Sunday, February 15 at 1:45 PM: Women's Pursuit
- Tuesday, February 17 at 1:30 PM: Men's Relay
- Wednesday, February 18 at 1:45 PM: Women's Relay
- Friday, February 20 at 1:15 PM: Men's Mass Start
- Saturday, February 21 at 1:15 PM: Women's Mass Start
As the schedule shows, biathletes will face an extremely demanding program across the two weeks of Olympic competition. Only the very best will have the opportunity to line up in all four individual races, on top of their relay commitments.
Between changing weather conditions, the physical toll of consecutive races, unexpected breakthroughs, and inevitable disappointments, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise to deliver the kind of drama and unpredictability that define biathlon at the highest level.
Throughout these two weeks, we’ll be closely following the action to provide expert insights, analysis, and tips, ensuring you have all the key information needed to make informed betting decisions.
And if you’re interested in exploring other disciplines, be sure to visit our full sports predictions section, where you’ll find coverage across the entire Olympic program.
2026 Olympic Games: How to make good predictions on Biathlon?
SportyTrader will be with you throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics, for Biathlon and other sports.
Our experts' advice will help you make your predictions under the best conditions to put you in the best conditions to win during these two Olympic weeks:
- Be aware of the last results
- Keep in mind the context
- Know how the rules of the sport
- Don't bet what you don't have
- Compare the odds
Here is the detail of each of these advices.
Be aware of the last results
The World Cup circuit offers a reliable benchmark when assessing the main contenders for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Unsurprisingly, performances recorded since the start of the winter season provide valuable insight into which biathletes are best positioned to deliver during these two decisive weeks.
Staying up to date with the most recent results is essential, especially as some athletes have clearly identified the 2026 Olympics as their primary objective, tailoring their preparation to reach peak form in January.
Before making any selections, be sure to review the latest race results and consult our expert articles. They bring together all the key data and analysis needed to make well-informed biathlon predictions for the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina.
Keep in mind the context
Like all outdoor disciplines, biathlon is heavily influenced by weather conditions, which can affect both snow quality and shooting performance. Fluctuating temperatures may alter the state of the tracks for example.
Wind and fog forecasts also deserve close attention, as unstable conditions on the shooting range can make clean shooting far more difficult. Under such circumstances, achieving a flawless 5/5 quickly becomes a real challenge, even for the most reliable men and women.
Before placing any bets on biathlon events at the 2026 Winter Olympics, it’s equally important to monitor the physical condition of the contenders. Winter illnesses can strike at the worst possible moment, and in February, even a minor virus or cold can cancel months or years of preparation. Keeping a close eye on athletes’ health updates is therefore essential when forming your predictions.
Know how the rules of the sport
Before making any biathlon predictions, it’s essential to know the specific demands of each discipline. While elite biathletes compete across all individual events, their skill sets are not always equally suited to every format.
The Individual is the longest race on the program and rewards athletes capable of managing a sustained solo effort with maximum precision. The Sprint, although shorter, still requires a high-intensity individual performance. By contrast, the Pursuit and Mass Start introduce direct confrontation, where tactical awareness and the ability to handle pressure during head-to-head battles often make the difference. In relay races, the dynamic shifts again, as athletes draw energy from the collective challenge and frequently push beyond their usual limits for the team.
With so many variables to look at for, each race demands its own analysis before doing predictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Don't bet what you don't have
One principle should always remain front of mind: the money you bet is your money. Careful bankroll management is therefore essential, and sticking to a predefined budget is the best way to avoid financial difficulties. Sports betting carries inherent risks, and if gambling ever becomes a concern, it’s important to seek help from specialized support services, whose contact details are available directly on bookmaker platforms.
Bookmakers themselves now recognize these risks and provide a range of responsible gambling tools, such as deposit caps, betting limits, and weekly spending controls. Making use of these features can help you stay in control and prevent unpleasant surprises during the Olympics.
For betting on the Olympics, a cautious approach is strongly recommended. Limiting each wager to no more than 2% of your total budget and focusing on odds bellow 2.00, generally considered more conservative, can help protect your bankroll. With a €100 budget, for example, placing €2 bets on relatively secure selections allows you to manage risk sensibly and avoid exhausting your funds after just a handful of bets.
Compare the odds
In sports betting, capital management and odds value are decisive factors. The objective is not only to place winning bets, but to maximize returns by selecting the best possible odds, especially when following expert tips. For the biathlon events at the 2026 Winter Olympics, comparing odds before placing a wager is therefore essential.
All licensed bookmakers will be offering markets on the Olympic Games, and it’s common to see noticeable differences in odds from one platform to another. As a result, the potential payout for the same biathlon race can vary significantly depending on where you place your bet.
Registering with multiple betting sites is a smart strategy. It allows you not only to benefit from welcome bonuses, but also to consistently place your bets at the most competitive odds available. Over the course of the Milan–Cortina Olympics, this approach can make a meaningful difference in boosting your overall returns.
Bet on the Biathlon with Bet365
What not to do when making your predictions for the Biathlon at the Olympics
The guidelines outlined below are designed to help you make informed decisions and place your bets in the best possible conditions throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics.
That said, there are also key principles and common pitfalls to keep in mind when making biathlon predictions during the Games:
- Avoid relying just on past results when assessing biathletes
- Don’t let emotion dictate your betting choices
- Never chase losses after an unsuccessful bet
- Don’t place bets without a clear understanding of biathlon and its disciplines
- Never bet without knowing the contenders and the context
The excitement generated by the Olympic Games should never override your usual betting discipline. Maintaining a consistent strategy and a personal, rational approach is essential.
Bookmakers will undoubtedly step up their efforts to attract new bettors during the Olympics. However, by applying all of the advice shared above, you’ll put yourself in the strongest possible position to achieve success with your sports betting throughout the 2026 Olympic Games.
In short: how to accurately predict the Biathlon events during the Milan and Cortina Olympics?
To optimize your returns at the 2026 Winter Olympics and approach biathlon betting with confidence, it’s crucial to apply all the key principles outlined on this page: carefully analyze each race, define a clear budget, compare bookmaker odds, and manage your bets with discipline.
Throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics, our experts will be at your side, delivering in-depth analysis and predictions for every biathlon event, from February 8 to 21.
SportyTrader will be fully engaged throughout the Milan–Cortina Games, helping you place smart, informed bets on biathlon during one of the most awaited sporting events of the year.
Hot matches
