Biathlon has its origins in the ancient hunting practices of northern Europeans.
Biathlon has its origins in the ancient hunting practices of northern Europeans.
An Olympic event since 1960, biathlon today combines cross-country skiing with small-caliber rifle marksmanship.
The Olympic biathlon events include the individual competition, sprint, pursuit, mass start and relay.
The Individual competition is a classical style biathlon race covering 20 km for men and 15 km for women, with 4 shooting lanes. Biathletes start at intervals of either 30 seconds or one minute with each competitor choosing his (her) own shooting lane. The first and third shooting stages are taken from the prone position, while the second and fourth are fired standing. Biathletes are penalized one minute for each missed target.
The Sprint is an abbreviated version of the Individual competition and one in which speed is a key factor. Men race 10 km, and women 7.5 km, each with two shooting rounds - one prone and one standing. For every missed target, a competitor must complete a 150-meter penalty loop.
In the Pursuit competition, athletes start in a staggered fashion depending on their time in the sprint race. Men ski 12.5 km and women 10 km. Each covers four shooting stages—the first two are taken prone and the second two from a standing position. As with the Sprint competition, athletes ski a 150-meter penalty loop for each miss.
The Mass Start competition is one of the newest biathlon formats. It covers a distance of 15 km for men and 12.5 km for women, with four shooting stages, the first two prone and second two standing. In each race, the 30 highest ranked athletes start together simultaneously and take their place at the first shooting stage depending on their starting number. Athletes line up at the remaining shooting stages depending on the order in which they arrived at the firing line. A 150-meter penalty loop is added for each miss.
The Relay consists of four-person national teams covering distances of 7.5 km for men and 6 km for women. Each leg of the race includes two shooting stages, one prone and one standing.
As opposed to the individual disciplines, biathletes in the relay have 8 rounds of ammunition for each firing range – five stored in the magazine and three extra rounds that can be loaded by hand, if necessary. Once all 8 rounds have been fired, the athlete must ski a 150-meter penalty loop for each missed target.
The biathlon rifle is a 5.6 mm calibre weapon that is carried on the athlete’s back in a special harness with the barrel pointed up.
A world-class «Laura» Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center is built for the Olympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi. Sitting to the northwest of the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort, this facility includes a 9,600 seat stadium, courses, a shooting range, and a warm-up area.
