Sweden Clinches Bronze in Men's Biathlon Relay at 2026 Winter Olympics

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Sweden's men's biathlon team delivered a strong performance to secure the bronze medal in the relay event. The team consisted of Viktor Brandt, Jesper Nelin, Martin Ponsiluoma, and Sebastian Samuelsson, competing under snowy conditions that tested their skills and resilience.

Starting with Viktor Brandt, who finished his leg with extra shots but maintained a competitive position, Sweden was in fifth place, 18 seconds behind leaders Norway. Jesper Nelin then executed a flawless shooting performance, propelling Sweden up to third place and reinforcing the team's medal chances despite his recent struggles in previous races. Martin Ponsiluoma, who had earlier won gold in the individual pursuit, faced challenges with two missed shots but managed to hold Sweden in medal contention. Sebastian Samuelsson anchored the team but had difficulties during his prone shooting, needing two extra shots and ultimately finishing in bronze position, 57.5 seconds behind the gold-winning French team.

Jesper Nelin expressed nervousness before the relay, uncertain if it was due to anxiety or excitement, but his perfect shooting proved crucial in the medal outcome. Sebastian Samuelsson acknowledged the pressure and felt proud of the team's effort despite the challenges faced during the final leg. France won the gold medal, Norway secured silver, and Sweden’s bronze marks a significant achievement following a difficult championship period for the Swedish biathletes. Meanwhile, the Swedish women's biathlon team continues to seek their first medal, with their relay event scheduled for the following day.