The upcoming Olympic program includes races with distances ranging from six kilometers to 20 kilometers per person.

By Philip O'Connor and Vincent Daheron ANTERSELVA, ITALY, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Quentin Fillon Maillet is hoping to improve his shooting to give himself a chance of beating Martin Fourcade's total of seven Winter Olympic medals for France when the biathlon competitions get underway with the mixed relay at the Milano Cortina Games on Sunday.

The United States has the most athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, but is not favored to win the gold medal race.

Eight current and former University of Colorado Buffs are slated to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy starting on Friday; some are making their Olympic debut, while others are returning as veterans to the international stage.

ROME (AP) — Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for doping and was provisionally suspended Monday from competing in her hometown at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Italy’s anti-doping agency said Passler tested positive for letrozole in an out-of-competition sample ahead of the Olympics that open Friday.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially underway. Even though the Opening Ceremony won't be held until Friday evening in Milan, events began on Wednesday, including round-robin curling and Alpine skiing men's downhill training.

The biathlon made its debut in the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, but it was not until 1992 that women's events were added. It remains the only Winter Olympic event in which the United States has not won a medal.

Reigning biathlon World Cup champion Franziska Preuss of Germany said on Friday she will end her glittering career after the season, with the upcoming Olympic races possibly her last. "It will be over after the season.