Calgary Biathletes Runnalls and Paradis Lead Canadian Team to 2026 Winter Olympics

The Canadian biathlon team for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy will feature a strong Calgary presence, with veterans Adam Runnalls and Pascale Paradis headlining an eight-athlete squad announced this week. The team represents Canada's hopes in the challenging sport that combines cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting.

Qualification Through Consistent Performance

The athletes earned their spots on Team Canada through their performances during the Olympic Qualification window. Canada secured eight quota positions based on the Nations Cup ranking at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, which incorporated results from:

The IBU World Cup circuit
The IBU Cup competitions
The IBU World Championships

Biathlon Canada selected the following eight athletes to represent the nation:

Zachary Connelly (Ottawa, Ontario)
Jasper Fleming (Squamish, British Columbia)
Nadia Moser (Whitehorse, Yukon)
Pascale Paradis (Calgary, Alberta)
Benita Peiffer (Whistler, British Columbia)
Logan Pletz (Regina, Saskatchewan)
Shilo Rousseau (Thessalon, Ontario)
Adam Runnalls (Calgary, Alberta)

Runnalls Returns for Second Olympic Appearance

For veteran biathlete Adam Runnalls, this marks his second trip to the Olympic Games following his participation in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In Beijing, Runnalls contributed to Canada's sixth-place finish in the men's 4×7.5km relay, which stands as the country's best-ever Olympic result in that event.

"I didn't necessarily expect to go to another Olympics, but I wanted to go to another one," Runnalls shared. "And so it's just keep putting one foot in front of the other and now we ended up here."

The Calgary athlete expressed particular excitement about returning to the Olympic stage, noting that reviewing photos from his Beijing experience has reignited his enthusiasm. "I was looking through photos from Beijing, and just looking at those old photos, I was like, 'Oh man, I'm getting excited now.' Like I'm the only one on the team who knows what it was like, and I feel like I have that extra excitement more than everyone else."

Runnalls will serve as a leader for a predominantly young Canadian team that includes seven first-time Olympic team members, all determined to deliver personal-best performances at the Games.

"Being named a two-time Olympic team member is a powerful reminder of the commitment and consistency it takes to compete at the highest level of my sport," said Runnalls. "I'm extremely excited to be heading to Milano Cortina."

Paradis Realizes Childhood Dream

Fellow Calgarian Pascale Paradis brings her own Olympic experience to the team, having previously competed for Team Canada at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Paradis has shown steady progression throughout the ranks, racing in her first senior IBU World Championships in 2025 and contributing to two top-10 finishes in the women's relay on the World Cup circuit last season.

"Being named to represent Team Canada honestly feels crazy and awesome," Paradis expressed. "It is still surreal, and I can't believe it's happening, and it's hard to believe that my dream as a child is actually coming true."

Paradis credits her Youth Olympic experience with providing valuable perspective on international competition. "The Youth Olympics were pretty eye-opening into what it means to have many different sports and countries competing at one event. It was very inspirational, especially at a young age, and it showed me just how big this dream could be."

Team Composition and Expectations

The Canadian biathlon team represents diverse regions across the country, with athletes hailing from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Yukon. This geographical diversity reflects the growing popularity of winter sports throughout Canada and the development of biathlon programs in various provinces and territories.

With Runnalls providing veteran leadership and Paradis bringing youthful enthusiasm alongside her previous Youth Olympic experience, the Canadian team aims to build on past successes while developing new talent for future competitions. The blend of experience and fresh perspectives creates a dynamic team environment as athletes prepare for the challenges of Olympic competition.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will provide the stage for these Canadian biathletes to demonstrate their skills against the world's best, combining endurance, precision, and mental fortitude in one of winter sports' most demanding disciplines.