Mathis Desloges secured France's first medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, taking second place in the men's skiathlon. At just 23 years old, the French cross-country skier became Olympic silver medalist after a demanding 20-kilometer race, consisting of 10 km in classic style followed by 10 km in freestyle, held in Tesero, Italy. This performance marks the beginning of France's medal haul at these Games.
A race dominated by Klæbo, Desloges at the peak of his career
The victory went to Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who made the difference in the final stretch to seize gold, while his compatriot Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget completed the podium. Desloges, solid throughout the race and able to keep pace with the best in the decisive moments, secured silver against a field traditionally dominated by Nordic nations.
A historic result for French cross-country skiing
This medal represents a major milestone for French cross-country skiing, which is rarely rewarded at this level in individual Olympic events, and even less so in the skiathlon, a discipline considered one of the most complete in the program. It confirms Desloges' emergence as one of the rising stars of world cross-country skiing and strengthens France's visibility in a discipline historically dominated by Norway and Sweden.
Before these Games, the French cross-country skier had clearly stated his intentions, explaining that he had "pushed the boundaries like never before" In his preparation, he aimed to achieve a major performance in his very first Olympic races. This ambition translated onto the snow with a controlled race and a medal that changes the dimension of his international trajectory.
