(Photo: NBC)
TESERO, Italy — March 13, 2026 — Five-time Paralympian Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, IL) added another chapter to her storied career today, winning the gold medal in the women’s biathlon sprint pursuit sitting. On a challenging course at the Fabio Canal Cross Country Stadium, Gretsch showcased her trademark marksmanship and power, finishing with a time of 11:33.1 to narrowly edge out her closest competitors from South Korea and China.
The victory was a masterclass in consistency and poise under pressure. Gretsch hit every target during the shooting rounds, ensuring she didn’t have to take any time-consuming penalty laps. This win brings her career total to seven Paralympic gold medals across both summer and winter sports. She leaves the 2026 Games as one of Team USA’s most decorated athletes, having also secured a silver in the 7.5km sprint and bronze medals in the 10km cross-country and 12.5km biathlon races.
Did You Know? Kendall Gretsch is a rare “dual-threat” athlete. She is one of the few elite competitors in the world to have won gold medals in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. When she isn’t dominant on the snow in a sit-ski, she is a world-champion paratriathlete who won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.