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{{Short description|Winter sport of skiing and rifle shooting}}
{{Distinguish|Duathlon|Biathle}}
{{Infobox sport
|name = Biathlon
|image = Biathlon Schalke.jpg<!-- do not read this -->
|imagesize = 200
|caption = Biathletes in the shooting area of a competition
|union = [[Military patrol]] (1920–1953) / [[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne|UIPMB]] ([[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne|Union de Pentathlon Moderne et Biathlon]]) (1953–1993) / [[International Biathlon Union]] since 1993
|team = Single competitors or relay teams
|mgender = Yes
|equipment = [[Ski]]s, [[Ski pole#Cross-country and alpine ski poles|poles]], [[rifle]]
|olympic = [[Military patrol at the 1924 Winter Olympics|1924]] ([[military patrol]])<br /> [[Biathlon at the 1960 Winter Olympics|1960]] (officially)}}

'''Biathlon''' is a [[winter sport]] that combines [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skiing]] and [[shooting sports|rifle shooting]]. The sport of biathlon involves many different types of races, with the commonality being contestants skiing through a cross-country trail whose distance is divided into shooting rounds called bouts. The shooting rounds do not have a time limit, but depending on the competition, missed shots result in extra distance or time being added to the contestant's total.

==History==
[[File:Skielober 1811.jpg|thumb|upright|Norwegian ski-soldier (Drawing published in 1811).]]
According to ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', biathlon "is rooted in the skiing traditions of [[Scandinavia]], where early inhabitants revered the [[Ullr|Norse god Ullr]] as both the ski god and the hunting god."<ref>{{cite web | title=History, Rules, & Facts | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=1998-07-20 | url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/biathlon | access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref> In modern times, the activity that developed into this sport was an exercise for Norwegians as alternative training for the [[Norwegian army|military]]. Norwegian skiing regiments organized military skiing contests in the 18th century, divided into four classes: shooting at mark while skiing at top speed, downhill race among trees, downhill race on big hills without falling, and a long race on flat ground while carrying a rifle and military pack. In modern terminology, these military contests included downhill, slalom, biathlon, and cross-country skiing.<ref name=Bergsland>Bergsland, Einar (1946): ''På ski.'' Oslo: Aschehoug.</ref> One of the world's first known ski clubs, ''Trysil Skytte- og Skiløberforening'' (the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club), was formed in Norway in 1861 to promote national defense at the local level. 20th century variants include {{lang|no|Forsvarsrennet}} (the military contest), a 17&nbsp;km cross-country race with shooting, and the military cross-country race at 30&nbsp;km including marksmanship.

The modern biathlon is a [[civilian]] variant of the old military combined exercise.<ref>Bø, Olav: ''Skiing throughout history'', translated by W. Edson Richmond. Oslo: Samlaget, 1993.</ref> In [[Norway]], the biathlon was, until 1984, a branch of {{lang|no|Det frivillige Skyttervesen}}, an organization set up by the government to promote civilian marksmanship in support of national defence. In Norwegian, the biathlon is called {{lang|no|skiskyting}} (literally ''ski shooting'').<ref name="Idrettsleksikon">''Kunnskapsforlagets idrettsleksikon'' (Encyclopedia of Sports), Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget, 1990</ref> In Norway, there are still separate contests in {{lang|no|skifeltskyting}}, a cross-country race at 12&nbsp;km with large-caliber rifle shooting at various targets with unknown range.<ref>{{Citation|last=Bryhn|first=Rolf|title=skifeltskyting|date=2014-09-28|url=http://snl.no/skifeltskyting|work=Store norske leksikon|language=no|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>

Called [[military patrol]], the combination of skiing and shooting was contested at the [[Winter Olympic Games]] in [[Military patrol at the 1924 Winter Olympics|1924]] and then [[demonstration sport|demonstrated]] in [[Military patrol at the 1928 Winter Olympics|1928]], [[Military patrol at the 1936 Winter Olympics|1936]], and [[Military patrol at the 1948 Winter Olympics|1948]], during which time Norway and [[Finland]] were strong competitors. In 1948, the sport was reorganized under the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne et Biathlon and became re-accepted as an Olympic sport in 1955,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.usbiathlon.org/history.html|title=Biathlon History|website=US Biathlon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004044703/http://www.usbiathlon.org/history.html|archive-date=2011-10-04|access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref> with widespread popularity within the Soviet and Swedish winter sport circuits.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Frank|first=William D.|date=June 2009|title=Cold War, Hot Borders: The Shooting War That the Russians Won|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KK6VKM0njdwC&q=history+of+biathlon&pg=PA41|journal=Skiing Heritage Journal|volume=21|issue=2|pages=36–41}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077G2TGQR|title=Two Skis and a Rifle: An Introduction to Biathlon|last=Nordvall|first=Michael|year=2017|isbn=978-1-386-67115-2}}</ref>

The first [[Biathlon World Championship]] was held in 1958 in [[Austria]], and in 1960 the sport was finally included in the [[1960 Winter Olympics|Olympic Games]].<ref name="Idrettsleksikon" /> At [[1992 Winter Olympics|Albertville]] in 1992, women were first allowed in the Olympic biathlon. The pursuit format was added for the [[2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics]], and the IBU added mixed relay as a format for the [[2006 Winter Olympics|2006 Olympics]].<ref name=":2" />

The competitions from 1958 to 1965 made use of high-power [[centrefire]] [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridges]], such as the [[.30-06 Springfield]] and the [[7.62×51mm NATO]], before the [[.22 Long Rifle]] [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]] cartridge was standardized in 1978.<ref name=":2" /> The ammunition was carried in several pouches on a belt worn around the competitor's waist. The sole event was the men's 20&nbsp;km individual, encompassing four separate ranges and firing distances of 100&nbsp;m, 150&nbsp;m, 200&nbsp;m, and 250&nbsp;m. The target distance was reduced to 150&nbsp;m with the addition of the relay in 1966. The shooting range was further reduced to 50&nbsp;m in 1978 with the mechanical self-indicating targets making their debut at the [[1980 Winter Olympics]] in [[Lake Placid, New York|Lake Placid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/biathlon-a-sport-on-the-cutting-edge|title=Biathlon: a sport on the cutting edge|date=23 February 2015|work=olympic.org|access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref> For the 2018–2019 season, fully [[electronic target]]s were approved as an alternative to paper targets used in zeroing or mechanical steel targets for IBU events.<ref>[https://www.biathlonworld.com/news/detail/new-season-new-rules New Season, New Rules: International Biathlon Union – IBU]</ref>

==Governing body==<!-- This section is linked from [[Ole Einar Bjørndalen]] -->
In 1948, the [[Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne|International Modern Pentathlon Union]] (UIPM) was founded to standardize the rules for the [[modern pentathlon]] and from 1953 also biathlon. In July 1993, the biathlon branch of the UIPMB created the [[International Biathlon Union]] (IBU), which officially separated from the UIPMB in 1998.

Presidents of the UIPMB/IBU:
* 1947–1949: [[Tom Wiborn]] ([[Sweden]])
* 1949–1960: [[Gustaf Dyrssen]] (Sweden)
* 1960–1988: [[Sven Thofelt]] (Sweden)
* 1988–1992: [[Igor Novikov (pentathlete)|Igor Novikov]] ([[Soviet Union|USSR]]/[[Russia]])
* 1992–2018: [[Anders Besseberg]] (Norway)
* Since&nbsp;2018: {{ill|Olle Dahlin|de}} (Sweden)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biathlonworld.com/news/detail/ibu-congress-olle-dahlin-swe-elected-as-new-ibu-president|title=IBU Congress: Olle Dahlin (SWE) elected as new IBU President|website=International Biathlon Union – IBU|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>

==Championships==
[[File:Simon Fourcade Kontiolahti 2012.jpg|upright|thumb|Transition from downhill at the 2012 World Championships in [[Kontiolahti]]]]
The following articles list major international biathlon events and medalists. Unlike the Olympics and World Championships ([[Biathlon World Championships|BWCH]]), the World Cup ([[Biathlon World Cup|BWC]]) is an entire winter season of (mostly) weekly races, where the medalists are those with the highest sums of World Cup points at the end of the season.
* [[Biathlon at the Winter Olympics]]
* [[Biathlon World Championships]]
* [[Biathlon World Cup]]
* [[Biathlon European Championships]]
* [[IBU Cup]]
* [[Biathlon Junior World Championships]]
* [[Biathlon at the Winter Universiade]]

==Rules and equipment==
 {{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | align = right
 | width = 220
 | image1 = Sylvie Becaert - 22-01-2010 - Shooting.jpg
 | caption1 = Prone position
 | image2 = Biathlon-Weltcup 2006 Antholz 1.jpg
 | caption2 = Standing position}}

The rules of the biathlon are given in the  International Biathlon Union Competition Rules<ref name=bfu>{{Cite web |date=July 2025 |title=International Biathlon Union Event and Competition Rules 2025 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cz0vl36hcq0x/7mkQn1kQTB7VzlUZHAcuec/c5612858222431bc703c8d52529e73d9/Rules_2025_EN_cap3.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710001637/https://assets.ctfassets.net/cz0vl36hcq0x/7mkQn1kQTB7VzlUZHAcuec/c5612858222431bc703c8d52529e73d9/Rules_2025_EN_cap3.pdf |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=cftassets.net}}</ref> and the Annexes to the Event and Competition Rules<ref name=ibf>{{Cite web |date=August 2025 |title=Annexes to the Event and Competition Rules |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cz0vl36hcq0x/2iDuPyE16smAkjo3DoobKs/c1c160414670e6c4394c0100ac044baa/Rules_2025_EN_cap4.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012151844/https://assets.ctfassets.net/cz0vl36hcq0x/2iDuPyE16smAkjo3DoobKs/c1c160414670e6c4394c0100ac044baa/Rules_2025_EN_cap4.pdf |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=cftassets.net}}</ref> which are updated by the [[International Biathlon Union|IBU]] yearly.

===Basic concepts===
A biathlon competition consists of a race in which contestants ski a series of loops on a cross-country trail system and includes either two or four shooting rounds called bouts, half in the prone position, the other half in the standing position. Depending on the shooting performance, extra distance or time is added to the contestant's total skiing distance/time. Depending on the event the contestant with the shortest total time or first to cross the finish line wins.

For each shooting bout, the biathlete must hit the five targets or receive a penalty for each missed target, which varies according to the competition rules as follows:<ref name=":0" />

* Skiing around a {{cvt|150|m|ft|2|abbr=on}} <ref name=bfu/> or 75m penalty loop.
* Adding a 1 minute or 45 second penalty to the skier's total time.
* Use of an extra cartridge (held on a spare round holder on an athlete's rifle) to hit the target; only three such "spare rounds" are available for each shooting stage (bout) , and a penalty loop must be done for each target remaining. These rounds are only available in the relay race.

In order to keep track of the contestants' progress and relative standing throughout a race, [[Fully automatic time|split time]]s (intermediate times) are taken at several points along the skiing track and upon finishing each shooting bout. The large display screens commonly set up at biathlon arenas, as well as the information graphics shown as part of the TV picture, will typically list the split time of the fastest contestant at each intermediate point and the times and time differences to the closest runners-up.

===Skiing details===
At Olympic competitions , all cross-country skiing techniques are permitted in the biathlon, allowing the use of [[Cross-country skiing#Skate skiing|skate skiing]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/results/resOWG2018/pdf/OWG2018/BTH/OWG2018_DT_BCK__BTH-------------------------------_1220_ENG.pdf|title=Competition format and rules: Biathlon, as of January 2018|date=2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213022253/https://www.olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/results/resOWG2018/pdf/OWG2018/BTH/OWG2018_DT_BCK__BTH-------------------------------_1220_ENG.pdf|archive-date=2018-02-13|access-date=2018-03-30}}</ref> which is overwhelmingly the choice of competitors. The minimum ski length is the height of the skier minus 4&nbsp;cm. The rifle has to be carried by the skier during the race by use of a harness and must be taken off during the shooting stages.

===Shooting details===
[[File:2018-01-06 IBU Biathlon World Cup Oberhof 2018 - Pursuit Men 70.jpg|thumb|Biathlon coaches use [[spotting scope]]s to verify and optimize team-member shot placement]]

Competitors carry a rifle chambered in the [[.22 long rifle|22 long rifle]] diameter<ref name=ibf/> ([[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]] ), which must weigh at least {{convert|3.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}},<ref name=ibf/> excluding spare ammunition, and loaded or empty magazines.<ref name=ibf/> The rifles use [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]] ammunition which must have a bullet with a weight of 2.55-2.75 grams<ref name=ibf/> (39.35-42.43 grains) made of lead or a similar uniform soft material<ref name="ibf" /> and use a [[bolt action]] or [[Anschütz 1827 Fortner|Anschütz 1827F Fortner]] (or other straight-pull bolt) action. Each rifle holds 4 [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]] using a magazine cassette (holds all 4) or a magazine holder (holds one) mounted to the rifle or available internally, with 5 rounds each. Additional rounds can be kept on the stock of the rifle for a relay race using what is called a spare round holder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halligan |first=Brian |date=July 20, 2022 |title=Biathlon Spare Rounds {{!}} Biathlon University |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUEE1LD_hV0&list=PLL69Qxs3qyUb4rfqcFHG0vXmjc_ukQ4j7&index=22 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=youtube.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ffs.fr/pdf/reglements/REGBIATH/FFSreg-biat6a.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.ffs.fr/pdf/reglements/REGBIATH/FFSreg-biat6a.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=IBU Rules|date=2014|website=International Biathlon Union|pages=4–8, 4–9|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> Spare rounds can also be stored on the floor plate of the magazine. Spare round holders come in many configurations holding 2,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheppard |first=Marc |title=Altius 2-Round Spare Bullet Holder |url=https://www.altiusguns.com/product.php?product_id=21123 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012230413/https://www.altiusguns.com/product.php?product_id=21123 |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=altiusguns.com}}</ref> 3,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dreissigacker |first=Ethan |others=Sold by Lost Nation R & D |title=3-Bullet Spare Round Holder |url=https://lostnationrd.com/product/3-bullet-spare-round-holder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610145010/https://lostnationrd.com/product/3-bullet-spare-round-holder/ |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=lostnationrd.com}}</ref> or 6<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=Kjell Gunanr |title=Spare shot holder |url=https://www.larsenbiathlon.com/ekstraskuddholder-sort.html?___store=english |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012234017/https://www.larsenbiathlon.com/ekstraskuddholder-sort.html?___store=english |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=larsenbiathlon.com}}</ref> rounds of ammunition and are mounted in various places in the rifle stock depending on biathlete preferences. Additionally spare round compartments are sometimes built into sight risers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dreissigacker |first=Ethan |title=LNRD 10mm Rear Sight Riser/Spare Bullet holder Combo |url=https://lostnationrd.com/product/lnrd-10mm-rear-sight-riser-spare-bullet-holder-combo/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=lostnationrd.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Dave |title=Sight Risers with spare round holder - For Anschutz Fortner |url=https://craftcollective.square.site/product/sight-risers-with-spare-round-holder-for-anschutz-fortner/58?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=true&q=fals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012235849/https://craftcollective.square.site/product/sight-risers-with-spare-round-holder-for-anschutz-fortner/58?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=true&q=fals |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=biathlonstocks.com}}</ref> cheek pieces<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Dave |title=Cheek Piece with Spare round holder - Fits Anschutz |url=https://craftcollective.square.site/product/cheek-piece-with-spare-round-holder-fits-anschutz/56?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013001513/https://craftcollective.square.site/product/cheek-piece-with-spare-round-holder-fits-anschutz/56?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false |archive-date=October 13, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=biathlonstocks.com}}</ref> or the standing grip<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naylor |first=Tom |last2=Naylor |first2=Mark |title=Naylor 1 Biathlon Stock |url=https://naylorbiathlon.com/pages/naylor-1-biathlon-stock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814072919/https://naylorbiathlon.com/pages/naylor-1-biathlon-stock |archive-date=August 14, 2025 |access-date=October 12, 2025 |website=naylorbiathlon.com}}</ref> of the rifle's stock.

The targets sit a distance of {{convert|50|m|yd|abbr=on}}. There are five [[Concentric objects|concentric]], circular, [[shooting target]]s to be hit in each shooting round or bout. When shooting in the [[prone position]], the target diameter is {{convert|45|mm|in|abbr=on}}; when shooting in the standing position, the target diameter is {{convert|115|mm|in|abbr=on}}. This translates to angular target sizes of 0.9 and 2.3 [[milliradian|mrad]] respectively. A large assembly of 5 targets sits in each lane. When changing from prone targets to standing, the hit size  or scoring zone of the target changes, but the size of the bull at which the biathlete aims remains unaltered. Meaning the perceived targets size remains the same while the "hit-zone" the biathlete's bullet must strike to achieve a hit decreases in the prone position when compared to the standing. The setting of these targets is either done with a pull rope (as is done on mechanical targets) or by use of a wireless remote (as is done on electronic targets). On biathlon ranges, a white paddle covers a hit target by using either the momentum of the bullet to flip a paddle or an acoustic system to determine the shots location moving and internal sliding cover this white indication method gives biathlete, as well as the spectators, instant visual feedback for each shot fired.<ref name=":0" />

Ear protection is not required or generally used during biathlon shooting as the ammunition used is usually [[Subsonic ammunition|subsonic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jacksonbiathlon.org/?content=the_basics/top_10_questions|title=Top 10 Questions|date=2018|website=Jackson Biathlon|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> An eyecup (blinder) is an optional feature of [[biathlon rifle]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anchoragenordicski.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/CoachesEducation.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.anchoragenordicski.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/CoachesEducation.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |title=US Biathlon Association Coaches' Education|website=www.anchoragenordicski.com|publisher=US Biathlon|page=6|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>

==Competition format==

===Individual===
The {{cvt|20|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} individual race [{{cvt|15|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} for women] is the oldest biathlon event; the distance is skied over five laps. The biathlete performs four bouts or shooting stages at any shooting lane (lanes 1–15 are in prone, while lanes 16–30 are for standing),<ref>Even in English-speaking countries such as Canada and the United States, each country may use different terms for the same thing in biathlon. For example, Stage (USA) vs. Bout (Canada), Shooting Point (USA) vs. Shooting Lane (Canada)</ref> in the order of prone, standing, prone, standing, totaling 20 targets. For each missed target, a fixed penalty time, usually one minute, is added to the skiing time of the biathlete. Competitors' starts are staggered, normally by 30 seconds.

A variation of the standard individual race, called short individual, was introduced during the [[2018–19 Biathlon IBU Cup]]. The races are 15&nbsp;km for men and 12.5&nbsp;km for women, and for each missed target, 45 seconds will be added to the skiing time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.biathlonworld.com/news/detail/some-changes-at-the-ibu-cup|title=Some Changes at the IBU Cup|website=International Biathlon Union – IBU|access-date=2019-02-03}}</ref>

===Sprint===
The sprint is {{cvt|10|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} for men & {{cvt|7.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} for women; the distance is skied over three laps. The biathlete performs two bouts or shooting stages at a lane of their choosing, once in the prone position (usually lanes 1–15) and once in the standing position (lanes 16–30), for a total of 10 shots. Most races designate these lanes for their positions in that is called a "split range." The division of these lanes is marked with a pictorial sign showing an arrow and a representation of the designated position. For each missed shot, a penalty loop of 150&nbsp;m must be skied before continuing the race. As in the individual competition, the biathletes start in a set of equal intervals as set by the race director.

=== Super Sprint ===
Introduced at the [[2017–18 Biathlon IBU Cup]], the Super Sprint is a shorter version of the sprint race. Unlike the traditional sprint race, the Super Sprint is divided into two segments – qualification and final. The qualification is done like the traditional sprint, but on a 1.5&nbsp;km lap with a total length of 4.5&nbsp;km. Only the top 30 competitors qualify for the final, in which all competitors start simultaneously and do five laps on the same course (like in mass start) with a total race length of 4&nbsp;km. During the final, the competitors have three spare rounds should they miss a target (like in relay race). However, if not all targets are cleared during shooting instead of going on the penalty loop, the biathlete is disqualified from the race.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biathlonworld.com/about-biathlon/disciplines/super-sprint-this-is-really-fast|title=International Biathlon Union – IBU|website=International Biathlon Union – IBU|access-date=2019-02-03}}</ref>

Changes were made for the following season with the course now being 1&nbsp;km (0.2&nbsp;km increase) meaning that the qualification race length will become 3&nbsp;km,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://res.cloudinary.com/deltatre-spa-ibu/image/upload/rdartycf3i2pnqx1fitg.pdf|title=International Biathlon Union Event and Competition Rules|website=International Biathlon Union|access-date=2019-11-07|archive-date=2019-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214070500/http://res.cloudinary.com/deltatre-spa-ibu/image/upload/rdartycf3i2pnqx1fitg.pdf}}</ref> while the final race becomes 5&nbsp;km in length. Also the number of spare rounds was decreased from three to one.<ref name=":1" />

===Pursuit===
[[File:Biathlon Oberhof 2013-039.jpg|thumb|right|World Cup pursuit race in [[Oberhof, Germany]], 2013.]]

{{main|Pursuit racing}}

In a pursuit, biathletes' starts are separated by their time differences from a previous race,<ref>Pursuit competition start intervals are determined by [[Rounding#Rounding to integer|common rounding]] to the nearest whole second of the biathletes' time differences from the previous race{{spaced ndash}} the amount of time each biathlete lagged after the winner to the finish line.</ref> most commonly a sprint. The contestant crossing the finish line first is the winner. The distance is 12.5&nbsp;km for men and 10&nbsp;km for women, skied over five laps; there are four shooting bouts (two prone, two standing, in that order) and each miss means a penalty loop of 150&nbsp;m. To prevent awkward or dangerous crowding of the skiing loops and overcapacity at the shooting range, World Cup Pursuits are held with only the 60 top-ranking biathletes after the preceding race. The biathletes shoot on a first-come, first-served basis at the lane corresponding to the position they arrived for all shooting bouts. If the pursuit follows an individual biathlon race, the lag behind the winner is halved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://res.cloudinary.com/deltatre-spa-ibu/image/upload/nk93tbz7syaoj02qmjod.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://res.cloudinary.com/deltatre-spa-ibu/image/upload/nk93tbz7syaoj02qmjod.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=International Biathlon Union Event And Competition Rules|publisher=International Biathlon Union|at=p.27;sec.1.7.6|quote-page=27|quote=The winner of the qualifying competition will have a start time of zero (0) which will be shown on the start list as the clock time for the start of the Pursuit competition. The remaining competitors in the Pursuit competition will have as their start time the actual time by which they were behind the winner in the Sprint or Mass Start competition or – in the Individual – one half of the time behind the winner, expressed in time behind to the nearest whole second.|access-date=2021-02-13}}</ref>

===Mass start===
In the mass start, racers start in a series of rows and columns as determined by their previous results. The first racer to cross the finish line is declared winner. In this 15&nbsp;km for men or 12.5&nbsp;km for women competition, the distance is skied over a series of five laps; there are four bouts of shooting (two prone, two standing, in that order), with the first shooting bout being at the lane corresponding to the competitor's bib number (bib #10 shoots at lane #10 regardless of position in race), with the rest of the shooting bouts being on a first-come, first-served basis (if a competitor arrives at the lane in fifth place, they shoot at lane 5). As in sprint and pursuit, competitors must ski one 150&nbsp;m penalty loop for each miss. Here again, to avoid unwanted congestion, World Cup Mass starts are held with only the 30 top ranking athletes on the start line (half that of the Pursuit as here all contestants start simultaneously).

===Mass start 60===
Starting in the [[2018–19 Biathlon IBU Cup|2018/2019 season]], the Mass Start 60 became part of the [[International Biathlon Union]] (IBU) competition formats. The Mass Start with 60 starters does not replace the current Mass Start with 30 starters.<ref name=":1" />

All participants ski the first lap, but only the first 30 competitors perform a prone shooting bout, the next 30 consecutive contestants (designated by bib number) perform another lap on the course. At the end of the second lap, the second groups performs their first shooting bout, and the first 30 perform another lap on the course. After all biathletes have completed their first prone bout, the race progresses like a typical mass-start, all competitors complete their remaining prone bout, and two stages of standing shooting concurrently. Put more simply:

Bib 1–30 = lap, shoot1, lap, lap, shoot2, lap, shoot3, lap, shoot4, lap

Bib 31–60 = lap, lap, shoot1, lap, shoot2, lap, shoot3, lap, shoot4, lap<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biathlon23.wordpress.com/tag/ibu-cup-martell/|title=I (BU) got new rules, I count 'em!|date=October 28, 2018|website=biathlon23|language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>

===Relay===
The relay teams consist of four biathletes, who each ski 7.5&nbsp;km (men) or 6&nbsp;km (women), each leg skied over three laps, with two shooting rounds; one prone, one standing. For every round of five targets, there are eight rounds available. However, the last three can only be single-loaded manually, into the chamber of the firearm, one at a time from spare round holders or bullets deposited by the competitor into trays or onto the mat at the firing line. If there are still remaining targets after 8 fired shots, one 150&nbsp;m (490&nbsp;ft) penalty loop must be taken for each missed target remaining. The first-leg participants all start simultaneously, and as in cross-country skiing relays, every athlete of a team must touch the team's next-leg participant to perform a valid changeover. On the first shooting stage of the first leg, the participant must shoot in the lane corresponding to their bib number (bib #10 shoots at lane #10 regardless of their position in the race), then for the remainder of the relay, the relay team shoots on a first-come, first-served basis (arrive at the range in fifth place, shoot at lane 5).

===Mixed relay===
The mixed relay is similar to the ordinary relay, but the teams are composed of two women and two men. From its first instance at the [[Biathlon World Championships 2005|world championships]] in 2005 until the end of the [[2017–18 Biathlon World Cup|2017 season]], the first two legs were always run by the women, followed by the men on legs 3 and 4. Since the [[2017–18 Biathlon World Cup|2018 season]] however, the race can be started by either the men or women.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Season, New Rules|url=https://www.biathlonworld.com/news/detail/new-season-new-rules|date=2018-08-02|access-date=2021-02-10}}</ref> Additionally, for most of the event's history, the women's legs have been {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} and the men's legs {{convert|7.5|km|abbr=on}} as in ordinary relay competitions. However, since the [[2019–20 Biathlon World Cup|2019 season]] the event has all four legs being either {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} or {{convert|7.5|km|abbr=on}}.
This event was added to the Olympics starting in [[Biathlon at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Mixed relay|2014]].

===Single mixed relay===
In 2015, the single mixed relay was introduced to the Biathlon World Cup by the IBU. The event is run on a {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} course with a {{convert|75|m|abbr=on}} penalty loop, and each team consists of a female and a male biathlete.<ref name="singlemixedrelay">{{cite web |url=https://www.biathlonworld.com/about-biathlon/disciplines/single-mixed-relay-an-exciting-novelty |title=Single Mixed Relay: an Exciting New Format |website=International Biathlon Union – IBU |access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> The race is divided into four legs, with the first three being {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} or 2 laps and the final leg being {{convert|4.5|km|abbr=on}} or 3 laps, totalling {{convert|13.5|km|abbr=on}}. After each leg, the biathletes exchange so that each biathlete completes two legs. Specific to this format, the exchange happens immediately after the last shooting of each leg without skiing an additional lap (as is usually the case). The race can be started by either the female or male member of the relay,<ref name="singlemixedrelay" /> with the finishing member performing an extra lap. This event was added to the world championships in [[Biathlon World Championships 2019|2019]].

===Team (obsolete)===
A team consists of four biathletes, but unlike the relay competition, all team members start at the same time. Two athletes must shoot in the prone shooting round, the other two in the standing round. In case of a miss, the two non-shooting biathletes must ski a penalty loop of 150&nbsp;m (490&nbsp;ft). The skiers must enter the shooting area together and must also finish within 15 seconds of each other; otherwise, a time penalty of one minute is added to the total time. Since 2004, this race format has been obsolete at the World Cup level.

==Broadcasting==
Biathlon events are broadcast most regularly where the sport enjoys its greatest popularity, namely Germany ([[Das Erste|ARD]], [[ZDF]]), Austria ([[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]]), Norway ([[Norsk Rikskringkasting|NRK]]), France ([[L'Équipe (TV channel)|L'Équipe 21]]), Finland ([[Yleisradio|YLE]]), [[Estonia]] ([[ETV (Estonia)|ETV]]), [[Latvia]] ([[LTV 7|LTV]]), [[Lithuania]] ([[Lithuanian National Radio and Television|LRT]]), [[Croatia]] ([[Hrvatska radiotelevizija|HRT]]), Poland ([[Telewizja Polska|TVP]]), Ukraine ([[UA:PBC]]), Sweden ([[Sveriges Television|SVT]]), Russia ([[Match TV]], [[Channel One Russia|Channel One]]), [[Belarus]] ([[TVR (Belarus)|TVR]]), [[Slovakia]] ([[Radio and Television of Slovakia|RTVS]]), [[Slovenia]] ([[RTV Slovenia|RTV]]), [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] ([[Radio-televizija Bosne i Hercegovine|BHRT]]), [[Bulgaria]] ([[Bulgarian National Television|BNT]]), and [[South Korea]] ([[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]]);<!--sequence held in same order as on biathlonworld.com--> it is broadcast on European-wide [[Eurosport]], which also broadcasts to the Asia-Pacific region. World Cup races are streamed via the IBU website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biathlonworld.com/|title=IBU|website=International Biathlon Union|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>

==Biathlon records and statistics==
The [[International Biathlon Union|IBU]] maintains biathlon records, rules, news, videos, and statistics for many years back, all of which are available at its web site.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.biathlonworld.com
 | title = The Biathlon Family
 | last = IBU
 | date = 2016
 | website = biathlonworld.com
 | publisher = International Biathlon Union
 | access-date = 2017-02-11
 }}</ref>

== Health risks ==
Biathlon is known to be a sport with a low risk of injuries or accidents, similar to [[cross country skiing]]. Incidental injuries through shots led to higher safety standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gots.org/gots-verletzungen-beim-biathlon/|title=GOTS: Verletzungen beim Biathlon|author= Alexander C. Disch, Bernd Wolfarth|publisher=Gesellschaft für Orthopädisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin|language=de|date=2011-03-02|access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

Athletes in competitions usually benefit from a low body weight, therefore professionals have a high risk of [[eating disorder]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Annette Bös|url=https://publikationen.uni-tuebingen.de/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10900/47300/pdf/GESAMTFASSUNG_fertig02.pdf?sequence=1|title=Frauen mit Eßstörungen im Ausdauersport|publisher=[[Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen]]|date=2003|access-date=2025-09-21|language=de}}</ref> Popular athletes who suffered from them were [[Miriam Neureuther]], [[Elisa Gasparin]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sport1.de/news/wintersport/biathlon/2024/04/biathlon-star-macht-magersucht-offentlich|title=Biathlon-Star spricht über ihre Magersucht|publisher=[[Sport1 (Germany)|Sport1]]|language=de|date=2024-02-22|access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref> and [[Lena Häcki-Groß]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2025-07-15 |author=Eva Breitenstein |date=2024-02-06 |language=de |publisher=[[nzz.ch]] |title=Biathletin Lena Häcki-Gross: Essstörung überwunden und nun WM-Favoritin |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |url=https://www.nzz.ch/sport/weitere-sportarten/biathletin-lena-haecki-gross-essstoerung-ueberwunden-und-nun-wm-favoritin-ld.1777437}}<!-- auto-translated from German by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> A study about female norwegian junior athletes from 2016 also proofed the high amount of cases among them.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Pursuit of performance excellence: a population study of Norwegian adolescent female cross-country skiers and biathletes with disordered eating|first1=Ingvild |last1=Pettersen |first2=Erik |last2=Hernæs |first3=Finn |last3=Skårderud|journal=BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine |publisher=[[United States National Library of Medicine]]|date=2016-07-19 |volume=2 |issue=1 |article-number=e000115 |doi=10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000115 |pmid=27900180 |pmc=5117075 }}</ref> [[Paul Schommer]] suffered from an eating disorder as a junior athlete too.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rogersbh.org/blog/guest-blog-biathlete-who-overcame-eating-disorder-shares-his-story/|title=Guest blog: Biathlete who overcame eating disorder shares his story|publisher=Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation|date=2018-11-01|access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Biathlon World Cup]]
* [[Biathlon World Championships]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in biathlon]]
* [[Paralympic biathlon]]
* [[Nordic field biathlon]] and [[moose biathlon]], Nordic biathlon variants using fullbore rifles

Biathlon's two sports disciplines:
* [[Cross-country skiing (sport)]]
* [[Shooting sports|Rifle shooting sports]]

Other multi-discipline sports (otherwise unrelated to biathlon):
* [[IBU Summer Biathlon]]
* [[Duathlon]]
* [[Nordic Combined]]
* [[Triathlon]]
* [[Pentathlon]]
* [[Modern pentathlon]]
* [[Heptathlon]]
* [[Decathlon]]
* [[Chess boxing]]
* [[Omnium]] (track cycling)

==Notes and sources==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Biathlon}}
{{Wiktionary}}

* [http://www.biathlonworld.com Biathlonworld.Com]&nbsp;– A cooperation between IBU and [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]; with race results/statistics, TV schedules, live competition results, and so on.

=== National Associations ===
* [http://www.biathlon.by Belarusian Biathlon Union] {{in lang|ru}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070813075056/http://rbu-biathlon.ru/ Russian Biathlon Union] {{in lang|ru}}
* [http://biathlonrus.com/eng/ Russian Biathlon Union] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.biathloncanada.ca/ Biathlon Canada]
* [http://www.usbiathlon.com U.S. Biathlon Association]
* [http://www.biathlon-russia.ru/ Biathlon Russia]
* [http://www.biathlon.com.ua Biathlon Ukraine] {{in lang|uk}}
* [http://www.biathlon.com.ua/?lang=eng Biathlon Ukraine] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181224071112/http://biathlonfrance.com/ BiathlonFrance.com]

{{Winter Olympic sports}}
{{Skiing}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Biathlon| ]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiing]]
[[Category:Military sports]]
[[Category:Multisports]]
[[Category:Racing]]
[[Category:Rifle shooting sports]]
[[Category:Sports originating in Norway]]
[[Category:Winter Olympic sports]]