Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Athletes race across varying distances on skis, stopping at designated shooting ranges to test their accuracy. The sport demands endurance, precision and strategy, as missed shots result in time penalties or additional skiing distance. The combination of skiing and shooting makes biathlon in the Olympics a unique test of athleticism and composure.
Biathlon made its Olympic debut at the Olympic Winter Games Squaw Vally 1960 with a single men’s event, the men’s 20-kilometer. Women’s events were added at the Olympic Winter Games Albertville 1992. The sport evolved from military training exercises and was included in earlier multi-sport competitions before becoming a full Olympic event. Its inclusion highlighted the growing global appeal of this ski-and-shoot sport.
Team USA debuted in biathlon at the Squaw Valley 1960 Games. Team USA placed sixth in the relay event at the Olympic Winter Games PyeonChang 2018 and seventh in the mixed relay event in the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
The Winter Olympics features biathlon events such as individual, sprint, pursuit, mass start and relay. Each event includes varying distances and shooting requirements, with athletes alternating between prone and standing shooting positions. Penalties can affect overall times.
Follow along the biathletes' road to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Check out all the events Team USA athletes will be competing in on the road to Milano Cortina 2026.
| name | sport | Education | hometown | age | Medals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lucinda Anderson Sport: Biathlon Education: University of New Hampshire '24 Hometown: Golden Valley, MN Age: 25 | Biathlon | University of New Hampshire '24 | Golden Valley, MN | 25 | |||||
 Lowell Bailey Olympian 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 Sport: Biathlon Education: University of Vermont '05 Hometown: Lake Placid, NY Age: 44 | Biathlon | University of Vermont '05 | Lake Placid, NY | 44 | |||||
 Sarah Beaulieu Sport: Biathlon Education: Seton Home Study School '16 American Public University Hometown: Fort Fairfield, ME Age: 26 | Biathlon | Seton Home Study School '16 American Public University | Fort Fairfield, ME | 26 | |||||
 | Biathlon | Grand Rapids, MN | 24 | ||||||
 | Biathlon | Wasatch High School | Midway, UT | 21 | |||||
 | Biathlon | Salt Lake City, UT | 25 | ||||||
 | Biathlon | North Tahoe High School | Tahoe City, CA | 23 | |||||
 | Biathlon | Alexandria Area High School | Alexandria, MN | 23 | |||||
 Luke Brown Sport: Biathlon Education: Minnehaha Academy, 2013 Dartmouth College '18, Physics Major and English Minor Hometown: St. Paul, MN | Biathlon | Minnehaha Academy, 2013 Dartmouth College '18, Physics Major and English Minor | St. Paul, MN | ||||||
 | Biathlon | Saint Olaf | Saint Paul, MN | 33 | |||||
Biathletes use specialized skis and small-bore rifles. The skis are built for speed and maneuverability, while the rifles must meet strict weight and calibration standards. Athletes carry their rifles throughout the race, adding a physical challenge.
Biathlon courses feature groomed ski tracks with varying terrain and shooting ranges. Shooting distances are standardized at 50 meters, with targets changing in size depending on the shooting position. Athletes must balance speed with accurate shooting.
Chloe Levins may seem like a new name on the U.S. Biathlon Olympic hopeful list. But the 27-year-old Vermonter is, in fact, a veteran — and one of the sharpest markswomen on the U.S. team.She just missed making the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team, then was dera...
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