What is Biathlon?

Biathlon is a winter sport that blends the power of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting. Athletes race over snowy terrain, stopping at shooting ranges to hit five targets from 50 metres away, with penalties for every miss. It's a test of endurance, control, and focus under pressure.

• Origin: Scandinavia, adapted from military ski patrols
• Governing body: International Biathlon Union (IBU)
• Main series: BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup
• Olympic debut: 1960 (men), 1992 (women)
• Core events: Sprint, Pursuit, Individual, Mass Start, Relay

When Does The Biathlon Season Start

The biathlon season runs from late November to March, following the European winter calendar. Athletes compete in the BMW IBU World Cup, which includes multiple international stops and a World Championship highlight mid-season.

2025-26 season overview:

• BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup - Season-long tour from November to March with races across Europe and beyond
• IBU Biathlon World Championships - Annual title event (except Olympic years) awarding World Champion status in all formats
• Winter Olympics Biathlon - Held every four years, featuring the full biathlon program
• IBU Open European Championships - A top-tier competition for rising stars and established athletes alike
• City Biathlon / Exhibition Events - Off-season or urban races that bring biathlon to new audiences (non-scoring)

Is Biathlon In The Olympics

Biathlon is a long-established Winter Olympic sport that challenges athletes to combine high-speed cross-country skiing with precise marksmanship. It features five race formats and is widely considered one of the most mentally demanding disciplines on the Olympic program.

Winter Olympic Biathlon:

• First Olympic appearance: Men - 1960 (Squaw Valley), Women - 1992 (Albertville)
• Events include: Sprint, Pursuit, Individual, Mass Start, and Relay
• Nations like Norway, France, and Germany consistently dominate the Olympic biathlon medal table

What Events Are In The Biathlon

Biathlon features several race formats - Sprint, Pursuit, Mass Start, Individual, Relay, Mixed Relay, and Single Mixed Relay - each combining skiing endurance with precision shooting under pressure.

Main Biathlon Events

Biathlon Sprint

A short race over 10km (women) or 12.5km (men) with two shooting rounds - one prone, one standing. Athletes start at intervals, and the fastest total time wins. Sprint results set the start order for the pursuit.

Biathlon Pursuit

Athletes start based on time gaps from the sprint, chasing the leader across 10km (men) or 7.5km (women). There are four shootings (prone, prone, standing, standing), with 150m penalty loop per missed shot.

Biathlon Mass Start

The top 30 athletes start together in a head-to-head race over 12.5 km (women) or 15 km (men). Each athlete completes four shootings (two prone, two standing), with a 150 m penalty loop for each miss.

Individual Biathlon

The longest format - 15km for women, 20km for men - includes four shooting bouts, with a +1 minute penalty added for every missed target. It's the ultimate test of endurance and accuracy.

Biathlon Relay

Teams of four athletes (men: 4x7.5km, women: 4x6km) each complete two shooting rounds before tagging the next teammate.

Biathlon Mixed Relay

Teams of two men and two women alternate skiing and shooting, covering either all 6km or all 7.5km legs. Introduced to the Olympics in 2014, it blends strategy, pacing, and teamwork.

Single Mixed Relay Biathlon

One man and one woman alternate several short legs with multiple shooting rounds. Fast transitions and flawless accuracy are key in this compact, high-intensity format.

Biathlon Rules and Scoring Explained

In biathlon, athletes race across distances of 7.5 km to 20 km, pausing at the shooting range to hit five targets from prone and standing positions. Using a .22 calibre rifle carried on their backs, they compete individually or in teams, with every missed shot adding time or distance. The winner is the athlete with the fastest total time, combining skiing speed and shooting accuracy.

• Race distances: 7.5 km to 20 km, depending on format
• Shooting rounds: 2 or 4 bouts, alternating prone and standing
• Penalties: 150m loop (sprint/pursuit/mass start/relay) or 1-minute added (individual)
• Rifle: .22 calibre, carried by the athlete
• Scoring: Total time = skiing time + penalty time or loops
• Victory depends on both speed and precision, one missed shot can cost the podium

What Is Summer Biathlon?

Summer biathlon keeps the sport going year-round, swapping skis for roller skis or running shoes while keeping the same 50 m rifle shooting format. It's used for off-season training and competition, often held in urban venues like the City Biathlon, where fans can watch up close.

Key Differences between Summer and Winter Biathlon

The main difference is the surface and equipment: snow and skis in winter, asphalt and roller skis (or running) in summer. Both follow the same rules, shooting positions, and scoring, but summer events are faster, shorter, and more spectator-friendly.

Is Biathlon In The Summer Olympics?

Summer biathlon is not part of the Olympic Games, but winter biathlon has been a core Olympic sport since 1960.

Biathlon Disciplines

Biathlon blends intense cross-country skiing with calm, focused rifle shooting—challenging athletes to balance endurance and precision under pressure.

Biathlon Shooting Explained

Biathlon shooting tests an athlete's precision under extreme fatigue, hitting five targets from 50 meters while heart rates soar from the ski course. With every miss resulting in a penalty, the shooting range often determines the outcome of the race. Accuracy, timing, and mental control are just as vital as physical speed.

• Distance to target: 50 meters
• Target size: 45 mm (prone), 115 mm (standing)
• Rifle: .22 calibre bolt-action, minimum weight 3.5 kg
• Ammunition: .22 LR rimfire cartridges
• Shooting rounds: 2 to 4 bouts per race, alternating prone and standing
• Penalties: Missed shots result in 150m loops or 1-minute time penalties
• Key to success: Calm under pressure and rapid recovery between ski segments and the range

Biathlon Skiing

Skiing forms the endurance backbone of biathlon, demanding stamina, strength, and technical skill across varied terrain. Athletes compete on looped courses featuring climbs, descents, and sharp turns, all while managing pacing between shooting bouts. Races can last anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes depending on the format.

• Technique: Freestyle (skating) cross-country skiing
• Race distances: Typically 6 km to 20 km, depending on event
• Course format: Looped laps with mixed terrain (hills, flats, descents)
• Gear: Lightweight skis, carbon-fibre poles, fitted boots
• Race duration: Around 20-50 minutes
• Key to success: Efficient pacing, terrain control, and recovery before shooting

Para Biathlon Explained

Para biathlon is a Paralympic sport that adapts cross-country skiing and rifle shooting for athletes with physical or visual impairments. Events are divided into sitting, standing, and visually impaired categories, with distances and rules tailored to each classification. Precision, endurance, and adaptive technology combine to deliver one of the most dynamic events on the para snow calendar.

• Paralympic debut: 1988 (men), 1994 (women)
• Race formats: Sitting, standing, and visually impaired
• Distances: 6 to 15 km, based on classification and gender
• Shooting: Visually impaired athletes use acoustic rifles guided by sound
• Target distance: 10 or 50 meters, depending on category
• Major events: Winter Paralympics, IBU Para Biathlon World Cup, and World Championships

Youth and Junior Biathlon

Youth and junior biathlon develop young athletes through U19 (Youth) and U22 (Junior) classes in competitions that mirror senior formats, preparing them for World Cup and Olympic levels.

Key competitions include the IBU Junior World Championships and the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which focus on building technique, endurance, and race experience for future champions.