Italy’s biathletes secured a place on the podium in the 4x6 km mixed relay. On the Antholz track, in the race that opened the discipline’s programme at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, the quartet of Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi (in running order) claimed silver, matching the nation’s best-ever Olympic result — Pieralberto Carrara’s second place in the 20 km at Nagano 1998. It is also Italy’s third medal in the event at a Winter Olympics, following the bronze medals at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.

Italy (photo Giuseppe Giugliano/CONI) lay third behind Norway and France after the first exchange, with Giacomel forced to use two spare rounds in the standing shoot. Hofer also needed two reloads standing, and Italy was fourth behind Norway, Germany and France at the second changeover. Four nations were in contention for three medals at the final exchange between Wierer (one spare round standing) and Vittozzi, who together with the final legs for Norway and Germany launched their challenge on France, which led by just under 20 seconds.

Gold went to France, who crossed the line in 1:04:15.5 (seven spare rounds). Silver, amid scenes of jubilation in the South Tyrolean stands, went to a sensational Italy (+25.8 with five spare rounds), propelled into second by a flawless shooting performance from Vittozzi, who decisively won the duel with Germany (bronze at +1:05.3 with one penalty loop and three spare rounds) and Norway (fourth at +1:37.2 with six spare rounds).