The Biathlon at the Winter Olympics may very well be one of the most interesting combinations of sporting endeavors to land a spot on the world stage. The Biathlon is a two-part spectacle which includes the endurance of cross-country skiing and the precision of rifle shooting.
Here’s how the Biathlon will unfold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
The Combination of Skiing and Riflery Creates the Biathlon
GettyThe Biathlon involves rifle shooting and cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina
The Biathlon’s foundation is the blend of endurance required in cross-country skiing, which pushes the physical boundaries of the athletes, with the calm and concentrated skillsets necessary for hitting precise rifle targets. The contrast between intense physical exertion and steady marksmanship is what makes the Biathlon so unique and such a compelling event to watch as a spectator.
In the Biathlon, competitors first ski multiple laps on a cross-country ski course while carrying a .22 caliber rifle strapped to their backs. As they make their way around the course, they are required to stop at a shooting range between each loop around the track. Each time they take on the shooting portion of the Biathlon, each athlete shoots five times with the aim of hitting the target that is 50 meters away. Though the target distance does not change at all during the competition, competitors are made to alternate between lying down, a position called prone, and standing as they shoot their rifles at the target.
Biathlon Events at the 2026 Winter Olympics
GettyCompetitors race down the cross-country skiing track of the biathlon event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina
There are numerous Biathlon variations which will take place during the course of competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The Biathlon events taking place are as follows:
Individual – The individual event involves longer cross-country skiing distances and penalizes competitors by adding one minute to their total time for the competition for each riflery shot they fail to make.
Sprint – The sprint event involves a shorter cross-country course than the individual event, and penalties are given as additional loops for missed riflery shots.
Relay – This event involves teams of four athletes who compete in the Biathlon cross-country skiing and shooting skills for a total combined time for the team.
Mixed Relay – To promote teamwork and gender equality, the mixed relay Biathlon event involves teams of men and women working together to complete the cross-country course and hit the riflery targets with the lowest combined score of all competing teams.
Pursuit – The pursuit Biathlon event is perhaps the most captivating for audiences to watch as it involves head-to-head racing and dramatic finishes due to the competitors’ race to the finish line. The starting position of each competitor is determined based on their sprint finishes, so head-to-head competition is a trademark of the Biathlon pursuit.
Mass Start – Even more fascinating to watch than the pursuit event is perhaps the mass start Biathlon, which sees all competitors beginning at the starting line together and racing against one another in real time. The mass racing across the cross-country skiing course and the rapid, exact firing of rifles makes this event captivating for spectators.
What Exactly is the Biathlon at the Winter Olympics? The Sport Explained