Olympic biathletes shoot at targets using .22-caliber rifles while racing on cross-country skis. Here’s a closer look at the combined sporting event. (Photo: AP)

Combining cross-country high speed skiing with a rifle didn't happen by chance. The history of the biathlon explained.

Biathlon combines two sports – cross-country skiing and shooting – into one race. The biathlon first made its debut 66 years ago in the 1960 Winter Olympics at the renamed Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe. This year, the Winter Olympic biathlon games will be held in Antholz (Anterselva), Italy.

Biathlon, which combines rifle shooting and cross-country skiing, developed out of Scandinavian military training exercises. Three members of the U.S. biathlon team are with the Vermont National Guard: Staff Sgt.

From the events to the format, here's everything to know for the biathlon action at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The world’s best marksmen and markswomen are setting their sights on gold in Paris. The 2024 Olympics will feature 15 shooting events. From rifles and pistols to shotguns, there is plenty of equipment involved across the sport. How do shooting events ...

What equipment do Olympic biathletes use? Olympic biathletes use the following equipment: Skis: Biathletes use cross-country skis to move through the course. Cross-country skis are narrow, no more than around 5cm (2 inches) in width, and do not have the ...