Biathlon is becoming a mass phenomenon in France: "Only the tip of the iceberg"

Biathlon is becoming a mass phenomenon in France: "Only the tip of the iceberg"

Biathlon has captivated audiences in France, drawing millions of viewers to their screens as the sport grows in popularity. The surge in interest in biathlon parallels its established status in Germany, where the sport has long been a fan favorite.

According to reports from the French television network L’Equipe, broadcasts of biathlon events last winter averaged one million viewers per race, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year. An exciting competition between Lou Jeanmonnot and winner Franziska Preuß at Holmenkollen in Oslo even attracted 1.558 million viewers, marking a substantial peak for the viewership.

Although France’s audience numbers are still lower than Germany’s—which averaged 3.18 million viewers during the 2024/25 season—the growth is notable. The past successes of Martin Fourcade and emerging talents like Quentin Fillon Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, and Julia Simon have cultivated a larger fanbase.

This rising interest in biathlon is fueling athletic achievements in France, where five French female athletes secured positions in the top eight worldwide standings this season, showcasing the sport’s promising future. Olympian Michael Rösch noted in an interview, "The viewer boom is reciprocally feeding the continuing sports resurgence. There are instances where over 500 competitors participate in regional events, demonstrating the sport’s expanding reach."

Biathlon on SPORT1

The article concludes by highlighting various platforms, including the SPORT1 channel, which offers extensive coverage of the biathlon world cup, schedules, standings, and live updates, enhancing fan engagement and accessibility to the sport.