Jeanne Richard, representing the French police team, marked her career's best performance on Saturday by finishing fourth in the biathlon pursuit race at Le Grand-Bornand, Haute-Savoie. The 22-year-old athlete has showcased her growing talent on the international stage, and her fourth-place finish at this prestigious World Cup event demonstrates her potential for even greater achievements.
Richard's race was closely watched, especially after her previous sprint race performance where she placed twelfth. With the blue U23 bib signaling her status as the top young competitor, she seized the opportunity to shine. During the pursuit, Jeanne delivered an impressive shooting performance, hitting 19 out of 20 targets, and maintained her focus throughout the challenging course.
"Today I am really happy with my race. I set things up properly and had a complete race, so I am really satisfied with this fourth place. It means a lot to me," Richard expressed after the race, reflecting on how important this achievement is for her career.
Jeanne Richard, born on April 13, 2002, hails from Thonon-les-Bains and grew up in Morzine, where her early exposure to various sports laid the foundation for her biathlon career. With her father as a ski instructor, she transitioned to skiing and later discovered her passion for biathlon—becoming prominent on the world stage after winning medals at the Youth Olympic Games and the Junior World Championships.
During the race, she competed alongside fellow athlete Julia Simon, with whom she shares training sessions. "I knew I was fighting for the podium when I arrived at the last shot with Julia. We shoot together often, and it went well," Richard noted. Unfortunately, when faced with the last target, she missed one shot, which prevented her from claiming a podium finish, but she fought valiantly until the end.
Overall, Richard's performance was celebrated not only for her skill on the course but also for the excitement she brought to the local fans. "It really pleases me to run with such amazing support. It’s just wonderful," she said, capturing the essence of competing on home soil amid cheering supporters.
Currently, Richard sits tenth overall in the World Cup standings, and her strong showing at Le Grand-Bornand positions her as one to watch going forward, particularly as she gears up for upcoming events, including the mass start competition scheduled the following day.
Looking to the future, Richard is not just aiming to excel within biathlon but has ambitions to represent France at the Olympic Games. Her integration within the national police sports team provides her with invaluable support, enabling her to balance her professional commitments alongside her sporting aspirations.
The national police team has been actively promoting high-level sports since 1982, integrating athletes like Richard who strive for excellence both on the competition front and within their professional capacity as police officers. This unique relationship helps athletes achieve their goals and supports broader initiatives to promote sportsmanship and professionalism within the community.
With continued determination and talent, Jeanne Richard is well on her way to making her mark on the sport of biathlon, showcasing the potential of young athletes representing the next generation of champions for France.