The word "biathlon" comes from the Greek word for two contests. Today it is the joining of two sports: cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The biathlon was originally a military exercise, not a sport.

The Rules of the Game
During a biathlon race, athletes must combine two very different athletic abilities in one event. Competitors cover more than 12 miles of snow-covered ground, stopping to shoot up to 20 metal targets, some as small as a coin. While on skis, athletes must focus on finishing the race in the least amount of time. While shooting, they must hit their targets or they can be penalized with added time.

By Jazmyn Boulware