Winter Olympics 2026: Better than Yusuf Dikec? Introducing the new Olympics aura king – ‘I will crush him’
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By Ben Grounds
Updated 15/02/2026 at 11:14 GMT
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France's Emilien Jacquelin took just 16.8 seconds to hit all five of his targets in the men's 10km sprint at the Winter Olympics as team-mate Quentin Fillon Maillet claimed his fourth Olympic gold. Jacquelin's rapid transition brought back memories of viral Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, whose relaxed pose at Paris 2024 captured hearts across the world. Do we have a new Olympics aura king?
Where have we seen this before?
Video credit: TNT Sports
It was executed with the type of speed and precision more in keeping with an action-thriller movie, but Emilien Jacquelin channelled his inner Tom Cruise and nearly carried out his own "Mission Impossible" at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday.
Jacquelin was in a rush to force himself into medal contention in the men's 10km sprint biathlon, with the Frenchman's almost nonchalant precise shooting seemingly performed with the famous theme tune in mind, as he took just 16.8 seconds to hit all five of his targets before embarking on a frenetic final lap.
Jacquelin narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, however, as he was pipped to the podium by Norway's Sturla Holm Laegreid, who went viral after admitting to cheating on his ex-girlfriend during an emotional interview earlier this week.
Despite his efforts being in vain, the manner in which Jacquelin smoothly went about his business - whipping off his headgear as he simultaneously grabbed his ski poles - brought back memories of the Paris Olympic Games, where Turkey's Yusuf Dikec won silver in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
Dikec became a social media sensation for his casual approach to hitting the target, with his characteristic glasses and white T-shirt, while opting against any cap or extra gear, and with one hand casually nestled in his pocket.
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While Dikec's calm demeanour led to widespread memes, his technique proved very effective alongside his countryman Sevval Ilayda Tarhan as he became Turkey's oldest Olympic medalist at the age of 51.
Indeed, it represented his nation's first-ever shooting medal at the Games - but it was his crown as the king of cool which came under threat at the Winter Olympics.
For Jacquelin, there was the agony of finishing 0.2 seconds outside of the medals in spite of his brilliant performance at the second shooting, which had put him six seconds ahead of Quentin Fillon Maillet.
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It would prove immaterial, however, as he faded badly in the final 15 metres of the finishing straight, allowing his countryman to eventually beat him by 16 seconds.
Fillon Maillet crossed the line in a time of 22:53.1, ahead of the Norwegian duo of Vetle Sjastad Christiansen and Laegreid, who finished in second and third, with times of 23:06.8 and 23:09.0 respectively to claim the silver and bronze medals.
"That is my happiness," said Fillon Maillet.
"I love it. I love this sport, and it is everything today. I want to dedicate my race today to my girlfriend because we are expecting a baby, and she has supported me for many years and helped me be here today."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Jacquelin finished in fourth, and afterwards had a laugh about Laegreid's surprise interview when asked about his courageous attempts to snatch bronze off him following the race.
"I was beaten by an unfaithful guy," the 30-year-old joked to Norwegian outlet VG Sport after the sprint.
"I will crush him on Sunday, we'll see," he added with a grin, referencing the men's pursuit final that is coming this weekend.
The men’s 12.5km pursuit takes place on Sunday, where Fillon Maillet will look to defend his title.
Whether Jacquelin is true to his word remains to be seen, but regardless of whether he is able to upstage the competition in the coming days, his unflappable aura with a gun in hand will go down as one of the most iconic images of Milano Cortina 2026.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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