Event Format: Biathlon combines cross country skiing and small calibre rifle shooting. Biathlon at the Olympic Games consists of eleven events, five for women, five for men and one mixed event. The events are individual start, sprint, pursuit, mass start and team relay. In the sprint race (womens 7,5 km and mens 10 km) the athletes compete against the clock. Competitors start the race with an interval of 30 seconds and there are two shooting stages in the race, the first one in a prone position and the second one in a standing position. For each missed target the biathlete has to ski a 150-meter penalty loop immediately after shooting. The Olympic gold medal winner is the athlete with the fastest time for the race. Event facts: Women's 7,5 km competition was held at the Anterselva Südtirol Arena |
