Simon Fourcade

Born on 25 April 1984 in Perpignan, France, Simon Fourcade is a professional biathlete as well as a non-commissioned officer. He is the older brother of the star of the French biathlon team - Martin Fourcade and Brice Fourcade who didn't take the family tradition in the sport. His first year in the sport was 1998 and he made his World Cup debut in 2001. Fourcade made his first podium when he finished 2nd in the 20 km Individual. The podium was shared with the winner, his then teammate, the great Raphael Poirée and Alexander Wolf. Simon participated in his first Winter Olympic Games in 2006 in Turin. He took part in only one event - the Individual and placed 31st. During his entire career, Fourcade remains one of the most talented, fast, solid and precise shooters. At the 2007 World Championships in Antholz-Anterselva, he proves his value and high potential as he finished 8th in the Individual and the mass start, 37th in the sprint, 25th in the pursuit and 10th in the relay. The season concluded for him at 23rd place in the overall. One year later at the World Championships in Östersund, Fourcade came at the prestigious 4th place in the Individual, his specialty; 20th in the sprint, 6th in the pursuit, 27th in the mass start and 5th in the relay. Simon began to show better and better finishes at World Championships one year after another. This is exactly what occurred in Pyeongchang in 2009. Once more he is 4th in the Individual, 6th in the sprint, 10th in the pursuit, 9th in the mass start and 4th in the relay. But the success was achieved in the mixed relay where Simon took the gold medal. The 2008-2009 season was over at number 15th in the overall. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Fourcade placed 40th in the Individual, 71st in the sprint, didn't participate in the following pursuit because of his tragic position from the sprint, 14th in the mass start and 6th in the relay. Those results were hard to swallow considering what terrific progress he was showing before the Games. Especially when due to his consistency even without a single victory, Fourcade wore the yellow bib as the leader in the overall. However in the end of the season Simon finished 7th. The 2010-2011 appeared to be quite different for the charming biathlete. At the 2011 World Championships in Khanty-Mansyisk, Fourcade placed 39th in the Individual, 13th in the sprint, 6th in the pursuit, 15th in the mass start and 12th in the relay. Very different number compared to the good positions from the previous World Championships. The season ended at 30th place in the overall. The whole picture changed at the 2012 World Championships, held in Ruhpolding. Simon won 2 silver medals - in the Individual and with the relay team. In the other disciplines he finished 5th in the sprint, 6th in the pursuit and 5th in the mass start. At the World Cup tour, Fourcade achieved a 2nd place in the sprint in Nove Mesto and a 3rd place in the pursuit in Hochfilzen. This was a very strong season throughout which he showed wonderful shooting but for the first time ever, a much faster skiing. Simon finished 5th in the overall - his best career finish so far. During the 2012-2013 season, he came 2nd in the pursuit in Khnaty-Mansyisk. But at the 2013 World Championships in Nove Mesto, Fourcade won one silver medal with the relay. He was 6th in the Individual, 34th in the sprint, 23rd in the pursuit and 9th in the mass start. Finished the season at number 27 in the overall. The 2013-2014 season marks one 5th place in the pursuit in Ruhpolding. Fourcade took a break from biathlon because of intolerable pain in his back that was causing him to shoot poorly and to slow down his skiing. He suffered a nerve operation and returned to the World Cup fully recovered. Just in time for the Olympics in Sochi in February 2014. Simon placed 13th in the Individual, 36th in the sprint and 18th in the pursuit. All this proves his good condition as Simon made three times 4th place in the mass start in Khanty-Mansyisk and at the 2015 World Championships in Kontiolahti, in the Individual and sprint. Was able to achieve a 10th place in the pursuit and 9th in the mass start. As for the relay event, Fourcade won the bronze medal. The season concluded at 11th place in the overall. During the 2015-2016, Simon Fourcade didn't make any impression. At the 2016 World Championships, France was the country to dominate all other nations in the medal table. But sadly this doesn't apply for Simon's performance. He finished 10th in the Individual, 53rd in the sprint, 40th in the pursuit and 9th in the relay. As for his position in the overall - 27th place. Simon Fourcade is a gifted and proven biathlete. He still hasn't said his last word and is always ready to give his best in every race. There is no doubt that his shooting which is a pure perfection and his skiing will bring him much success in future.