Olympics-Biathlon-Sharpshooting skiers deliver drama and development at Games

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Biathlon - Women's 15km Individual Victory Ceremony - Anterselva Biathlon Arena, South Tyrol, Italy - February 11, 2026. Bronze medallist Lora Hristova of Bulgaria celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony REUTERS/Matthew Childs

ANTERSELVA, ITALY, Feb ⁠22 (Reuters) - Norway and France may have dominated the thrilling biathlon competitions at ⁠the Milano Cortina Games but bronze for Bulgaria and the Czech Republic ‌will arguably be remembered as the medals that shone brightest as the sport seeks to expand and grow.

Keen to increase the number of nations able to fight for podiums at the top level, the International ​Biathlon Union invested a million euros ($1.18 million) in a ⁠programme called "Closing the Competitive Gap".