The budget of the French Biathlon Team

Becoming a modern sport in 1960, biathlon is a unique sport practiced in winter combining skiing and rifle shooting. The French biathlon team is one of the best teams in the world with success in international competitions such as the Olympic Games, the World Cup and the World Championships.

Let's discover together the budget of this team.

General budget of the French Biathlon Team

1. Expenses

Expenses in biathlon are classified into several categories, covering the needs of teams, athletes and federations to ensure good performances. Here is an overview of the expenses in different items:

a. Materials and equipment

The rifle, specific to biathlon, its price varies between €3,000 and €5,000. A box of cartridges costs around €50 and biathletes use thousands of cartridges per year for training and competitions. A pair of racing skis costs between €500 and €1,000 and a professional biathlete can use 5 to 10 pairs on average per season, the ski pole costs between €100 and €300, the racing suit costs between €300 and €600 and many other accessories. The expenses allocated to equipment are not disclosed by the federation.

b. Monthly salary

The monthly salary of biathletes varies according to their results, their status, their sponsorship contracts and their affiliation to institutions (such as the army or customs services). Beginner athletes or those without major results earn around €1,500 to €3,000 per month, intermediate level athletes earn between €3,000 and €7,000 and biathlon stars earn between €10,000 and €30,000 or more by combining bonuses, salaries and sponsorships.

2. Revenue of the French Biathlon Team

The revenue of the French Biathlon Team comes from a mixture of public subsidies, broadcasting rights, performance bonuses, private partnerships and income related to the organization of events.

a. Public subsidies and sponsorship

The Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Agency allocate subsidies to support high-level sport. In 2024, a €100,000 subsidy was allocated for the organization of the Biathlon World Cup in Annecy. Private companies join forces with the team for financial and promotional partnership contracts. Since 2005, the SETP group has supported the team for €150,000 of the annual budget. Brands that supply sports equipment (skis, clothing, rifles), by offering contracts, can reduce the rates for the team.

b. Performance bonuses

Performances during international competitions such as the Olympic Games or World Championships generate bonuses. A gold medal at the World Championship can bring in €25,000, a silver medal €20,000 and €14,000 for a bronze medal.

Although the figures are not publicly detailed, the overall budget for a season can be estimated at several million euros.

The biathlon team's budget is based on diversified financial management. Private partnerships, bonuses, public subsidies and others constitute the main income for the French biathlon team. Despite the funds allocated to the federation, financial deficits remain present.