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Biathlon Biathlon is a sport that combines cross-country ski racing with rifle marksmanship.
Originating in Sweden as a hunting competition, the sport spread among European infantry troops and led to the initiation of international military ski races in 1908. The modern biathlon, an offspring of these events, emerged after World War II and made its first Olympic appearance in the 1960 Winter Games at Squaw Valley, Calif. Standard equipment for the biathlon includes cross-country skis, poles, lightweight ski boots, and single-shot, bolt-action rifles.
women, 4 7.5 km).
The team event has been obsolete since 2004 at the World Cup level.
The biathletes fires five shots with a non-automatic rifle at metal drop-down targets at a standard distance of 50 meters for each shooting phase. He or she uses a prone firing position on the first range, and then alternates between prone and standing. only three extra cartridges are allowed for each round, and if there is a miss, then a penalty loop is called for. The biathlon has both individual and relay team events (four athletes make up the relay team). the rules follow the same format as the single-sex relay.
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Source: (biathlon) http://marathonsandrunningevents.com/biathlon/