Olympic Games 2022: Quentin Fillon Maillet takes silver in the sprint, seventh French medal

The two strong men of world biathlon exchange places on the highest step of the podium of these Olympic Games. Sacred in the mixed relay and tanned in the individual, Johannes Boe put the turbo to win the sprint despite a shooting error, Saturday February 12. Four days after his title, Quentin Fillon Maillet won the silver medal ahead of the other Boe brother, Tarjei (+38.9). This is the third charm of the Franc-Comtois since the start of the competitions in China after the mixed relay silver.

Two men at a triple gallop. Between Johannes Boe and Quentin Fillon Maillet, we handle both the whip and the rifle. In exceptional form, the Norwegian and the French continue to offer us emotions at the Zhangjiakou site. At a distance for the moment but the direct confrontation will return tomorrow during the chase. Boe had given us a good overview of his level by taking the lead from Fillon Maillet in the sprint during the mixed relay.

There, with a penalty lap each, the advantage remained with the triple winner of the general classification of the World Cup. On arrival, he relegated his rival to 25”5 by giving an impression of ease, both in shooting (a fault in standing shooting) and on skis (best time). “I was in a very good position to release the horses. Small flat on the shot that could have let me hope for victory even if Johannes was very strong today“, recognized Fillon Maillet who faulted on his lying shot.

The record of the French remains exceptional. Three medals in three races is already as good as Martin Fourcade in Sochi (2014) and Pyeongchang (2018) even if the Pyrenean’s three charms were all gold four years ago. “I approached things the same way as on the individual with a lot of desire and I will approach all the next races in the same way“, specified Fillon Maillet. “I am in the process of writing a very beautiful page of history.“A single additional medal on these Olympic Games alone would propel “QFM” into the pantheon of French sport.

In an excellent position at the start of the pursuit, he will have a great opportunity to add another podium to his record. 9th (+1’05″9) despite two fouls on shots, Emilien Jacquelin will also have his say in a race format that he particularly likes. Respectively 21st (+1’41″2, 3 fouls) and 24th (+1’44″6, 2 faults), Fabien Claude and Simon Desthieux will be in ambush. The latter may harbor some regrets because after his zero fault on the bench, the road to the medal was open.