French biathlon star Martin Fourcade has been cleared to compete after undergoing tests ©Getty Images

French biathlon star Martin Fourcade has been cleared to compete after undergoing tests following a below-par performance at the recent National Championships in La Feclaz.

The double Olympic gold medallist and multiple world champion finished seventh in the pursuit and 11th in the sprint event at the competition last month.

It sparked concerns that Fourcade, who won his sixth consecutive overall International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup title last season, was suffering from a virus.

But blood tests revealed the 29-year-old, who will be the French Flagbearer at the 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Pyeongchang, had no traces of illness or a virus.

"It was just a blow of fatigue," French national team coach Stéphane Bouthiaux told L'Equipe.

"He trains normally, we'll see how it evolves."

Martin Fourcade was confirmed as the French flagbearer for Pyeongchang 2018 earlier this year ©Getty Images
Martin Fourcade was confirmed as the French flagbearer for Pyeongchang 2018 earlier this year ©Getty Images

The illness scare comes as Fourcade prepares to defend his IBU World Cup crown in a season which is headlined by the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The Frenchman, who has won 11 World Championships gold medals, is arguably France's main medal hope at the Games in February.

He is due to begin his preparation for the upcoming campaign at a training camp in Sjusjøen in Norway next week, along with other members of the French team.

The IBU World Cup season starts with the opening event of the season in Östersund in Sweden from November 26 to December 3.