Armin Auchentaller: An Olympic Opportunity

The U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team will have a new vibe in Antholz, Italy this week for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Head Coach Armin Auchentaller sees opportunity for a team that blends veteran athletes with some rising young stars. Heartbeat caught up with Auchentaller during the final days of the team’s Ridenour prep camp before the drive to the Antholz valley.

Four men and four women will represent Team USA in biathlon. On the men’s team, Paul Schommer and Sean Doherty with Schommer competing in his second Games, Doherty his fourth. Maxime Germain will be heading to his first Games buoyed by rising international performances. Meanwhile, Campbell Wright is competing in his second Games, but first as an American. And it comes on the heels of the two silver medals he won a year ago at the World Championships.

For the women, Deedra Irwin returns for her second Games, after a strong result four years ago in Beijing. After a short break from the international tour, Joanne Reid heads to her third Olympics. And a pair of newcomers to the sport, Luci Anderson and Margie Freed are poised for their Olympic debut.

For Auchentaller, it will be a Games of much pride. As a native of the Antholz valley, he welcomes the opportunity to show off his hometown, where his father was a part of starting biathlon over a half century ago.

And to top it all off for the popular coach, his own daughter, Hannah, will make her Olympic debut with the Italian team.

The action begins Sunday with the mixed relay. You can watch all the action live or on-demand in the USA on NBC’s Peacock.