biathlete

A biathlete is an athlete who competes in biathlon, a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Biathletes compete at international circuits such as the Biathlon World Cup, the Biathlon World Championships, and the Winter Olympic Games, as well as national events.

In competition, athletes ski a course divided into laps, with shooting rounds between segments. Each shooting stage involves five targets in two positions: prone and standing. Missing targets may incur penalties depending on the event: in individual races, each miss adds one minute to the time; in sprint, pursuit, mass start, and relay, missed targets require skiing a penalty loop of 150 meters or using extra rounds to hit the targets before penalties. Distances vary by event: sprint around 7.5–10 km; pursuit 10–12.5 km; individual 15–20 km; mass start 12.5–15 km; relays 4x6–7.5 km.

Biathletes run on cross-country skis equipped with poles, carrying a small-bore .22 caliber rifle on their back. They must control breathing and heart rate to shoot accurately after intense skiing. Training emphasizes endurance, speed, marksmanship, and the ability to recover quickly between intense efforts.

The sport is governed by the International Biathlon Union (IBU). Modern biathlon evolved in northern Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries, combining military skiing skills with sport. The World Cup circuit, World Championships, and Olympic events have contributed to its international profile.

Notable biathletes include Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Martin Fourcade, and Johannes Thingnes Bø, among others.