Gangwon 2024: Emily Campbell emerges as rising star of US biathlon
The 17-year-old Campbell, who has been on skis since age three, is making waves in biathlon for the United States.
Biathlon
Reaching the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 is the culmination of years of hard work for U.S. biathlete Emily Campbell, who opened her campaign with the women’s 10km event.
The 17-year-old Campbell started out in Alpine skiing when she was just three years old before she took up Nordic skiing five years later, taking inspiration from her older brother, who skis for Michigan Tech.
“Once he started Nordic skiing, I always loved following in his footsteps and everything," Campbell told Fox13.
"So, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, well, if he does, I have to do it’.”
Her talents in cross-country skiing ultimately led her to biathlon when she was 11 years old, and she has since grown from strength to strength. One of three female biathletes on Team USA at Gangwon 2024, Campbell has emerged as a bright prospect in the combined event.
Campbell competed at the 2023 Youth World Championships in Schuchinsk, Kazakhstan, where she finished 64th in the individual and 70th in the sprint. The senior from Park City High School will also compete at the 2024 Biathlon Youth and Junior World Championships next month.
The teen from Park City, Utah, got her sporting talent from her parents, who are both former college athletes.