Biathlon

cross-country skiing and shooting

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with precision shooting: endurance meets a steady hand.

💡 Did you know? This mix of all-out endurance and calm precision makes biathlon so gripping.

five

Shooting is from 50 metres; a hit visibly flips the target from black to white.

💡 Did you know? Each miss brings a penalty: a penalty loop or added time.

prone and standing

Athletes shoot alternately prone (smaller target) and standing (larger target).

💡 Did you know? Prone targets are smaller: but standing is harder to hold steady after skiing.

penalty loop

Depending on the race a miss costs a 150-metre penalty loop or a penalty minute: shooting often decides it.

💡 Did you know? The penalty loop is usually 150 metres long.