Back Biatlón AN بياثلون Arabic Biatlón AST Biatlon Azerbaijani Биатлон Bashkir Біятлон Byelorussian Біятлён BE-X-OLD Биатлон Bulgarian Biatlon Breton Biatlon BS
 Biathletes in the shooting area of a competition | |
| Highest governing body | International Biathlon Union |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Team members | Single competitors or relay teams |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Equipment | Skis, poles, rifle |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | 1924 (military patrol) 1960 (officially) |
The biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. It is treated as a race, with contestants skiing through a cross-country trail whose distance is divided into shooting rounds. The shooting rounds are not timed per se, but depending on the competition, missed shots result in extra distance or time being added to the contestant's total.