Martin Fourcade is a French former biathlete and sous-lieutenant who is celebrated for being a thirteen-time World Champion, a seven-time winner of the Overall World Cup and to top it off, a five-time Olympic champion. He stands as the most successful French Olympian of all time, as of February 2018.
Fourcade first took up biathlon in 2002, and by 2006 he was competing in France in both the 2007 and 2008 Junior World Championships, scooping up a bronze in 2007’s relay.
In 2008, Fourcade competed in his debut Biathlon World Cup, finishing 61st. His best result that year came at the 2009 World Championships, where he finished in the top 20 in each competition, including a 4th place in the relay.
After winning an Olympic silver at the 2009–10 season, and a debut World Championship title the following season, Fourcade indisputably marked his territory on the skiing circuit. Over the last decade he has scooped up countless titles, including consistent World Championship gold medals, consecutive World Cup titles and endless ensuing podiums.
More recently in the 2017-2018 season, at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Fourcade scooped up a gold by just fourteen centimetres; a win that made him the most successful French Winter Olympian of all time. His immense track record has seen him honoured as the all-time record holder of the most consecutive Major Championships titles, nabbing a gold in every major championship from 2011-2018.
In March 2020, Fourcade announced his retirement from the sport, after an intense, prosperous and fulfilling skiing career.