Winter Sports Spotlight: Norway and France Lead the Charge Ahead of 2026 Olympics

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and French biathlete Julia Simon are among the stars to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

As the winter sports season heats up in early 2026, the spotlight shines on powerhouse nations Norway and France. Following dominant performances in the 2025 world championships, both teams are positioning themselves as frontrunners in cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and biathlon as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics approach on February 6.

Norway’s Nordic Supremacy on Full Display

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, from February 26 to March 9, 2025, highlighted Norway’s dominance in winter sports. The host nation topped the medal table with 13 golds, 11 silvers, and 8 bronzes—nearly triple the tally of second-place Sweden.

Standout athletes included Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who clinched his fourth sprint title, and Jarl Magnus Riiber, who earned three golds in Nordic combined before retiring. On the women’s side, Jonna Sundling retained her sprint freestyle gold, showcasing Norway’s deep talent pool.

"Winning at home was a dream come true," Klæbo said. "It sets a high standard for the Olympic season."

However, not all news from Trondheim was positive. The FIS Ethics Committee suspended three officials from Norway’s men’s ski jumping team for 18 months over manipulated competition suits. The scandal has cast a shadow over Olympic preparations, as Norway aims to defend its winter sports legacy.

France Strikes Back in Biathlon

Meanwhile, France asserted its strength in biathlon at the 2025 IBU Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, from February 12 to 23. The French team topped the medal table with 6 golds, 2 silvers, and 5 bronzes, narrowly surpassing Norway’s 9-medal haul.

French highlights included Justine Braisaz-Bouchet’s sprint gold and a commanding mixed relay victory by Julia Simon, Lou Jeanmonnot, Eric Perrot, and Emilien Jacquelin. Simon also claimed individual glory in the women’s individual event, while Quentin Fillon Maillet contributed bronze in the men’s sprint.

"Our team has worked tirelessly on precision and endurance," Simon said. "We’re ready to challenge for every medal in Milan-Cortina."

Momentum Heading Into the Olympics

As of January 2026, the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup is ongoing, with France continuing to challenge Norway. Notably, France won the men’s 4x7.5km relay in Ruhpolding, Germany, on January 15, defeating Norway even without key athlete Emilien Jacquelin.

Norway maintains the lead in the men’s World Cup standings, boosted by the return of Johan-Olav Botn from illness. In women’s biathlon, France holds the top spot, driven by stars like Simon and Braisaz-Bouchet.

At the Milan-Cortina Olympics, biathlon events will take place in Anterselva from February 8 to 21, with 11 medal events on the line. Nordic skiing competitions, including cross-country and ski jumping, will span venues like Predazzo and Tesero. Norway’s overall winter sports prowess—evident in 17 golds across the 2025 world championships—positions them to potentially break Olympic records, while France’s biathlon edge could yield multiple podiums.

With the Games just weeks away, both nations are fine-tuning strategies under high stakes. Norway seeks redemption from recent controversies, while France aims to translate championship form into Olympic gold. Winter sports fans worldwide are in for a thrilling showdown in Italy.