We don't call it "the morbac" for nothing.

Who could have imagined that this biathlete, so often erased behind the imposing Fourcade, then his Norwegian successor Johannes Boe, would one day become the new master of the discipline?

True to his nickname, inherited from his youth for his ability to hang on at all costs in the race, "QFM" never gave up to seize his chance at the right time.

Fourcade retired in 2020, Boe in poor shape: the place of world No.1 rightfully went to Fillon Maillet, 3rd in the World Cup for the last three seasons.

The Jura player did not miss the opportunity: five victories before the Games, already an Olympic title and, barring an accident, a first big crystal globe which awaits him at the end of March.

"He has progressed in terms of shooting quite frankly and that has made him gain in confidence and serenity, judge Martin Fourcade. When I stopped, I was far from thinking that a Frenchman could play the general two years later. But Quentin has this ability to realize the opportunities presented to him."

Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet, on the shooting range during the individual event (20 km) at the Beijing Games, February 8, 2022 in Zhangjiakou Odd ANDERSEN AFP

Doubts

"Shy" during childhood, he asserts this "fighting" side which emerges as soon as he puts on his skis.

Until now, Fillon Maillet had however had a rather discreet career.

Often placed, a few times winner (6 successes in the World Cup before this season), the one who started on the major circuit in 2013 was a solid soldier of the France group but without making sparks.

Never crowned in a major solo competition before arriving in Beijing, he had tasted victory only collectively (two world titles in relay (2020) and mixed relay (2016).

The French Quentin Fillon Maillet, Simon Desthieux, Martin Fourcade and Emilien Jacquelin pose with their relay gold medals at the Biathlon Worlds, February 22, 2020 in Rasen-Antholz (Italy) MARCO BERTORELLO AFP / Archives

The doubts about him were reinforced during a 2019-2020 exercise again frustrating.

Once King Fourcade's skis and rifle had been put away, Fillon Maillet had proclaimed loud and clear his ambition to fight for the general classification of the World Cup.

The final result (3rd) was clearly not up to his expectations.

To which, we must add the 2021 World Championships in Pokjljuka with a bitter taste (a bronze medal in mass start).

"When you say you want to be first at the Worlds and at the World Cup, you put a little pressure on yourself but for me it's motivation. I don't want to hide myself", explains the one who, during his youth, had lined the wall of his room with a poster of the Norwegian legend Ole-Einar Bjoerndalen, aptly nicknamed the "Cannibal".

Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet, during the pursuit of Hochfilzen (Austria), December 12, 2020 JOE KLAMAR AFP / Archives

"Particular situation"

His two medals at the Beijing Olympics (gold in the Individual, silver in the mixed relay) are also revenge for a 2018 edition contested in very complicated mental conditions.

His companion suffers from an illness and his father-in-law dies just before the event and the Frenchman no longer has his mind in the biathlon in Pyeongchang.

His record in South Korea is catastrophic (48th in the sprint, 44th in the pursuit, 29th in the mass start).

French biathletes Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet, Emilien Jacquelin, Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon Maillet pose with their mixed relay silver medals on February 6, 2022 in Zhangjiakou at the Beijing Games Tobias SCHWARZ AFP

"It was a special situation and I was more concerned about the state of those close to me. Biathlon took a back seat and I had bad Games. And that's a strength now for me," says- he.

Pyoengchang is just a bad memory for the world No.1, who as promised before flying to Beijing, went to get a medal for his wife.

But his harvest is probably only beginning.

© 2022 AFP