After winning 15 medals at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, then in Pyeongchang four years ago, the French team will try to do as well, or even beat this record in Beijing (February 4-20). Here are the main chances of French medals among the 88 Tricolores in the running.
Alexis Pinturault (Alpine Skiing)
Olympic gold is the only title that is still missing from his list. And Alexis Pinturault will have four opportunities to fill this void with the super-G (February 8), the combined (February 10), the giant (February 13) and the slalom (February 16). But the holder of the big crystal globe will not make the trip to the Chinese capital with full confidence. Although he has been on the podium three times in the World Cup, he is having a more than complicated season and he is betting everything on these Games to rectify the situation. But he will have competition within the tricolor clan with Mathieu Faivre, giant world champion, and Clément Noël in the slalom.
Second in one of the two mythical descents of Kitzbühel, the veteran Johan Clarey (41 years old) will be, for his part, a serious outsider for a medal on the descent.
Among the women, standard bearer Tessa Worley, double world champion and in great shape in giant slalom with three podiums, including a victory, in January.
Quentin Fillon Maillet (Biathlon)
In recent years, biathlon has been one of the main providers of medals for France. And this will be the case again this year in Beijing. If Martin Fourcade has hung up his skis and his rifle, the chances of medals are multiple with 11 events on the program. Starting with Quentin Fillon Maillet. Since the start of winter, the Jurassien has accumulated five victories on the clock (four in pursuit) and is at the top of the general classification of the World Cup.
If he had a less good blow in January, Emilien Jacquelin, dolphin of his compatriot, could also run for several charms in China. Simon Desthieux could also have his say.
Among the women there are also many medal hopefuls with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon, Anaïs Bescond and Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet who have won 15 medals this season. And the France team will also be one of the big favorites on the various relays.
Perrine Laffont (Mogul Skiing)
Perrine Laffont is one of the greatest medal chances for the tricolor delegation. The young Frenchwoman (22 years old) is Olympic champion and reigning world champion in mogul skiing. And before these Games, she made a more than convincing start to the season with six podiums, including three victories.
Terence Tchiknavorian and Bastien Midol, world number 2 and number 3 respectively in skicross, are also serious contenders for a podium. Like Tess Ledeux in slopestyle and big air as well as Kevin Rolland in half-pipe.
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron (Figure Skating)
Can gold escape them? Olympic vice-champions in 2018, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, who are also quadruple world champions and five-time European champions, are aiming for nothing other than the title on the ice of Beijing. And they displayed their ambition when they returned to competition, after more than 600 days without skating due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with three victories in as many competitions.
Julia Pereira de Sousa (Snowboard)
Olympic vice-champion in 2018 in snowboardcross, and despite a knee injury at the start of the season, Julia Pereira de Sousa is one of the contenders for a medal, along with Merlin Surget or Chloe Trespeuch, and this time dreams of climbing on the top step of the podium to make the Marseillaise ring out.