Biathletes freestyle across the course, stop, fire at targets 50K away from either a standing or a prone position, then do it all again. Fatigue is as big a part of the sport as aim. There are three biathlon events for both men and women. Men run a 20K individual race, a 10K sprint and a 4 x 7.5K relay. Women run a 15K individual, a 7.5K sprint and a 4 x 7.5K relay.
Athletes take one shot at each of five targets.
A miss will add a minute to the athlete's time in the individual competition. In the sprints and relays, competitors have to do a 150M penalty loop for a miss. Europeans have dominated the sport, which held its first competition in 1776 in Norway. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.