OLYMPICS: Italy's Giacomel aims to make the most of Boe's absence at Milano Cortina

STOCKHOLM — The retirement of dominant Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Boe has opened the men’s biathlon competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and Italian fans will be hoping that in-form Tommaso Giacomel can seize the moment in Milano Cortina.

Boe dominated the Beijing Games four years ago, winning four gold medals in six events. However, his decision to retire at the end of last season has paved the way for new contenders, with Giacomel currently ranked as the world’s top male biathlete.

“He has shown that he is capable of it in the last few weeks, but it won’t be easy,” said Swedish former Olympic champion Mona Brorsson. Brorsson, who will cover the Games as an expert commentator for SVT, added that the Olympic stage will test Giacomel’s mental strength.

“He’s really fast on the shooting range, and that’s important. It’s a strength he has. But an Olympics at his home venue— we’ll see how he handles it and if he can handle the mental pressure.”

Brorsson, 35, won a silver medal in the relay at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and later took gold in the same event at the 2022 Games. She said the Italian team is peaking at the right time ahead of the Olympic competitions.

“The whole Italian team has made a clear leap this year, even the biathletes who don’t have a chance at the podium. They’ve really improved, especially on the women’s side,” Brorsson said.

“If they have a day where everything works out, they could win a medal in a relay.”

Biathlon combines skiing and shooting and has roots in Norwegian military training. Norway has long been a dominant force in the sport, but Boe’s retirement has shifted the competition’s power dynamics.

Strong Teams From Across Europe

Traditional biathlon superpowers such as Norway and Sweden will send strong teams to Milano Cortina. Meanwhile, continental nations like France and Italy will also have strong medal hopes.

“There is Giacomel from Italy, then Erik Perrot of France, and Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson,” Brorsson said. “And I say Sebastian not because I’m biased, but because I truly believe he has what it takes.”

In the women’s events, Brorsson highlighted France’s Lou Jeanmonnot as the top contender this year.

“She has delivered at such a high level. Even when she doesn’t have her best day, she’s still up there fighting,” she said.

Brorsson also praised Finland’s Suvi Minkinen and the strong Swedish women’s team.

“I didn’t think I would say this, but Suvi is definitely one of the best,” she added.

Home Crowd Could Make the Difference

Having competed multiple times at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena, Brorsson will now swap her rifle for a microphone as she covers the Games. The arena is located in northern Italy near the Austrian border.

“You have a competition there every year. They have a really nice arena and it’s always full and loud,” she said.

Brorsson noted that this Olympics will be very different from the previous two, which had limited fans.

“The audience at the last two Olympics wasn’t really a biathlon crowd. Now, there will be real biathlon fans. It will be completely crazy,” she said.

The biathlete-turned-broadcaster emphasized that handling home pressure will be crucial for Italy’s success.

“It’s a very stressful situation. The whole season is about the Olympics, so it’s really about coming to the Olympics with energy and making sure you haven’t emptied the tank before you get there.” -Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare Fallon/Reuters