Biathlete Martin Fourcade focuses on Pyeongchang in run up to World Cup

The six-times World Cup gold medalist represents a solid medal opportunity for France at the Winter Games, having taken gold at the Vancouver and Sochi games in 2010 and 2014 respectively, and this is his main objective for the season.

Speaking to the Olympic Games website, Fourcade said: "During this winter, I have only one goal: the Olympic Games."

With the World Cup due to get underway first, Fourcade said he would use the World Cup as an opportunity to "prove" to himself his medal potential, and said he would likely compete across the entire season.

The 29-year-old said: "For me to succeed at the Games, I must first be successful at the beginning of the season! To mark the ground, but also for me, to prove things to me.

"I said that my goal in Pyeongchang was to win a gold medal. Before announcing "I want three", you must first win the first. So that's my goal."

In particular, Fourcade said he hoped for a victory in the relay having won the mixed relay with France at the 2016 Oslo Worlds Championships.

He said: "A collective medal at the Olympic Games, would be something ... Our team is powerful, men and women, and we will have a good chance."