History

Biathlon - an event that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting - did not start as a sport but as a way for northern European hunters (as early as 2000 BC) to acquire food.

In the mid-16th century however, Scandinavian countries began using army troops on skis to defend against their enemies.

The word “biathlon” comes from the Greek word for “two tests” and today Biathlon consists of 10 separate events that involve both cross-country skiing and target shooting.  The objective in Biathlon is to complete the course in the least amount of time while hitting as many targets as possible to avoid time penalties.

The first world championships in Biathlon were held in 1958 at Saalfelden in Austria and Biathlon became an Olympic sport (for men only) at the Squaw Valley 1960 Olympic Winter Games.  Women’s Biathlon didn’t join the Olympic Games until 30 years later at the Albertville 1992 Games in France.


Technical

The skiing portion of the Biathlon requires fast and physically demanding cross-country free technique racing while the rifle shooting requires accuracy and control.

When the athletes ski into the shooting ranges - located at various intervals along the course - they are required to put down their ski poles and take five shots at a metal target located 50 metres away.

Each target has five plates - fixed in a straight row - which the athlete must hit.  The hit-area size changes depending on whether the athlete is shooting in a prone or standing position.  When in a prone position, the hit-area is the size of a golf ball (45 mm); standing, it’s the size of a large grapefruit (115 mm).

A top athlete usually takes 20 to 25 seconds to aim and shoot five bullets.  Missing a target plate can be costly: depending on the event, a missed shot means either one minute of added time or skiing a 150-metre penalty loop.


Major Players

Germany is considered perhaps the strongest Biathlon nation in the world, particularly in the men’s event.  At the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, Germany claimed four of the five gold medals available in the men’s event and topped the overall medal table with a total of 11 medals, five of which were gold.

Other major players are Russia and France who claimed second and third place respectively on the medal table in Turin.


Bluffers’ Guide

Each biathlete must shoot at five round, black metal circles in horizontal display.  When shooting in the prone position, the target diameter is 45millimetres.  When shooting in the standing position, the target diameter is 115millimetres.


Useless Information

Flags in the shooting range indicate wind direction.