Brief Introduction of Emilien Jacquelin
Émilien Jacquelin is a distinguished French biathlete who has made a significant mark on the international stage. Known for his formidable skiing speed, tactical prowess, and often audacious and rapid shooting, he has become a prominent figure in the world of biathlon. Jacquelin is a multiple World Champion, most notably securing back-to-back gold medals in the pursuit discipline in 2020 and 2021. His career is also highlighted by two Olympic silver medals won at the 2022 Beijing Games in the men’s relay and mixed relay events. Renowned as a relentless and thoughtful competitor, he has a reputation for excelling in high-pressure, one-day races. Beyond his individual accolades, he is a crucial member of the highly successful French national biathlon team, contributing to numerous relay victories and championships.
Emilien Jacquelin Overview
| Full Name | Émilien Jacquelin |
| Date of Birth | 11 July 1995 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 30 |
| Birthplace | Grenoble, France |
| Profession | Biathlete |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Corinne Jacquelin (Mother), Clément Jacquelin (Brother) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Chloé Chevalier |
| Net Worth | Estimated around €2 million |
Early Life and Education of Emilien Jacquelin
Émilien Jacquelin was born on July 11, 1995, in Grenoble, a city nestled in the heart of the French Alps. Growing up in Villard-de-Lans, a village in the Vercors massif, he was immersed in an environment conducive to outdoor sports from a very young age. He began skiing at the age of three and was quickly drawn into the world of competition. Interestingly, Jacquelin’s first sporting passion was not biathlon, but road cycling. He pursued cycling in a sport-study program in Grenoble with the dream of becoming a professional cyclist. However, after a bout of mononucleosis, he shifted his focus towards Nordic sports. Following in the footsteps of his three older brothers, who were also involved in biathlon, he fully committed to the sport at the age of 17. He was driven by a desire to confront his weaknesses, particularly in shooting, which he saw as a significant challenge. For his higher education, Jacquelin studied Marketing at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc in Chambery.
Emilien Jacquelin’s Career
Emilien Jacquelin’s biathlon career is a story of steady progression and remarkable breakthroughs. He first showed international promise at the junior level, winning a bronze medal in the individual event at the 2014 Youth World Championships and another bronze in the relay at the 2015 Junior World Championships. He began competing on the IBU Cup circuit, the second tier of international biathlon, during the 2015-2016 season. A pivotal moment came on November 23, 2017, when he claimed his first IBU Cup victory in a sprint event in Sjusjoen. This win earned him a spot on France’s elite World Cup team.
Jacquelin made his World Cup debut in the 2017-2018 season and his strong performances, including fifth and sixth-place finishes in Antholz, secured him a place on the French Olympic team for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. At the end of that season, he was named the IBU’s “Rookie of the Year.” The 2019-2020 season marked his arrival as a top-tier biathlete. He achieved his first individual World Cup podium in Hochfilzen, finishing third in the pursuit. This was just the beginning of a stellar season that culminated at the 2020 IBU World Championships in Antholz-Anterselva. In a thrilling pursuit race, he strategically out-dueled the formidable Johannes Thingnes Bø to win his first World Championship gold medal. He left Antholz with four medals in total: two golds (pursuit, men’s relay), and two bronzes (mass start, single mixed relay). To cap off his phenomenal season, he won the small crystal globe for the best overall performance in the pursuit discipline.
The following year, Jacquelin proved his championship mettle once again. At the 2021 World Championships in Pokljuka, he successfully defended his pursuit title, this time with a remarkable 20-for-20 perfect shooting performance. He also added a sprint bronze medal to his collection at these championships. The 2021-2022 season saw him achieve another career milestone: his first regular-season World Cup victory in the mass start at Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, which also saw him wear the coveted yellow bib as the overall World Cup leader for the first time. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, he was a key part of the French team, winning two silver medals in the men’s relay and the mixed relay. After a challenging 2022-2023 season where he took a step back from the sport to regroup mentally and physically, Jacquelin made a strong comeback. He finished the 2023-2024 season ranked sixth in the overall World Cup standings, the highest-ranked non-Norwegian athlete. He also anchored the French men’s relay team to four victories, securing the World Cup Relay Score Globe.
Emilien Jacquelin Personal Life & Family
Emilien Jacquelin maintains a relatively private personal life, though some details are known about his family and relationships. He grew up with three older brothers, who were his initial inspiration for getting into biathlon. One of his brothers, Clément Jacquelin, is also a former biathlete who has since founded Athletics 3D, a company specializing in custom sports equipment using innovative technologies like additive manufacturing. The bond between the brothers is strong; Clément notably designed a custom part for Émilien’s rifle to help him adapt his shooting technique after a severe wrist injury before the Olympics, showcasing their fruitful collaboration between sport and technology. His mother, Corinne Jacquelin, has also been featured in documentary footage, highlighting the family’s support for his career.
In his personal life, Émilien Jacquelin is in a relationship with fellow French biathlete Chloé Chevalier. They share a passion for their sport and have been known to support each other in their respective careers. Jacquelin is described by friends and family as generous, big-hearted, and deeply emotional. Outside of biathlon, he has a passion for photography, which he uses as a means of expression. He even held an exhibition in Paris titled “Alter Ego” to show the personality behind the athlete. He also enjoys travel, nature, and playing video games. Jacquelin has been open about the mental challenges and pressures of being a top-level athlete, advocating for the importance of mental health and self-awareness.
Awards and Achievements of Emilien Jacquelin
- Olympic Games:
- Silver Medal – 4 x 7.5 km Relay (2022 Beijing)
- Silver Medal – Mixed Relay (2022 Beijing)
- World Championships:
- Gold Medal – 12.5 km Pursuit (2020 Antholz)
- Gold Medal – 4 x 7.5 km Relay (2020 Antholz)
- Gold Medal – 12.5 km Pursuit (2021 Pokljuka)
- Gold Medal – 4 x 7.5 km Relay (2023 Oberhof)
- Gold Medal – Mixed Relay (2025 Lenzerheide)
- Bronze Medal – 15 km Mass Start (2020 Antholz)
- Bronze Medal – Single Mixed Relay (2020 Antholz)
- Bronze Medal – 10 km Sprint (2021 Pokljuka)
- Bronze Medal – Mixed Relay (2023 Oberhof)
- Bronze Medal – 4 x 7.5 km Relay (2024 Nové Město)
- World Cup Discipline Titles:
- Pursuit Crystal Globe (2019-2020)
- IBU Awards:
- Rookie of the Year (2017-2018)
Emilien Jacquelin Net Worth and Income
Emilien Jacquelin’s net worth is estimated to be around €2 million. His income is primarily derived from prize money in the Biathlon World Cup and World Championships, as well as from personal sponsorships. As with all top biathletes, his earnings from competitions fluctuate based on performance. For instance, during his highly successful 2019-2020 season, where he finished fifth in the overall standings, he earned approximately €183,500 in prize money from the International Biathlon Union (IBU). This figure does not include revenue from his private sponsors. Over the years, Jacquelin has cultivated partnerships with several notable brands, including Seiko, Madshus, Greenweez, and 4Endurance France, which contribute significantly to his overall income.
Legacy and Influence
Emilien Jacquelin has already carved out a significant legacy in the world of biathlon through his thrilling performances and distinctive style. He is particularly renowned for his back-to-back World Championship titles in the pursuit, a discipline that perfectly showcases his tactical intelligence and competitive spirit. His aggressive and often high-risk, high-reward strategy, especially his incredibly fast shooting, makes him one of the most exciting athletes to watch. He has influenced the sport by demonstrating the effectiveness of combining raw ski speed with bold and decisive action on the shooting range. Furthermore, Jacquelin’s willingness to speak openly about the mental pressures of elite sport has been influential. By sharing his vulnerabilities and the journey of rediscovering his passion for biathlon after periods of doubt, he has contributed to a broader conversation about athlete well-being and mental health. As a key member of the dominant French biathlon squad, he has helped continue the nation’s legacy of excellence established by legendary figures like Martin Fourcade, whom he trained with and viewed as a mentor.
Interesting Facts about Emilien Jacquelin
- His original sporting dream was to become a professional cyclist, a path he pursued in a sport-study program before turning to biathlon.
- He is a passionate amateur photographer and has used the medium as a creative outlet, even holding an exhibition of his work in Paris.
- Jacquelin is known for his witty comments and insightful interviews on social media.
- His brother, Clément, is an engineer and founder of a company that designed a custom 3D-printed rifle component for him.
- Growing up, one of his biathlon idols was fellow Frenchman Raphaël Poirée.
- He is a self-described “thinking man’s biathlete,” who thrives in high-stakes, single-day championship races.
- When not training or competing, he enjoys playing video games, sometimes with his former teammate Antonin Guigonnat.
- His motto is “who dares wins,” a philosophy that reflects his bold and competitive approach to racing.
Controversies
Emilien Jacquelin’s career has been largely free of major controversies. However, he is known for being a candid and emotional athlete, and his outspoken nature can sometimes be perceived as divisive. In late 2022 and early 2023, he made the difficult decision to end his season prematurely, citing mental and physical exhaustion and a loss of the enjoyment that fuels his performance. While not a controversy in the traditional sense, this public step-back from the sport to prioritize his well-being was a significant and widely discussed event within the biathlon community, highlighting the immense pressures faced by elite athletes.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed.
- Twitter – Information not disclosed.
- YouTube – Information not disclosed.
Final Words about Emilien Jacquelin
Emilien Jacquelin stands as one of the most dynamic and compelling figures in modern biathlon. With a collection of World Championship titles and Olympic medals, his place among the sport’s elite is firmly secured. His career is defined by a rare combination of explosive speed, tactical acumen, and a fearless approach to competition, particularly in the head-to-head format of the pursuit. Beyond the statistics, Jacquelin’s journey is one of resilience. After a challenging period that saw him step away from the sport to address his mental health, he returned with renewed focus and success, demonstrating a maturity that complements his athletic talent. As a pivotal member of the French national team, he continues to be a driving force in relay competitions. Looking ahead, a primary goal remains to capture an individual Olympic medal, with his sights set on Milano-Cortina 2026. His blend of raw talent, emotional honesty, and creative spirit ensures that Emilien Jacquelin’s legacy will be that of not just a champion, but also a uniquely influential and relatable athlete.