Discover Biathlon

Rules Overview

With different competition distances and formats, biathlon might seem at times confusing to the newcomer. It is actually a simple, straightforward sport.

  • Ski. as fast as you can

  • Shoot. hit or miss targets

  • Penalties. for every miss

Female biathletes stand in their numbered starting gates (1, 2, 3) at the beginning of a biathlon race

Skiing

Skiing distances are comprised of various loops ranging from 1.5 km to 4 km depending on the competition. These can vary slightly, from venue to venue.

Women competitions

  • Super Sprint: 6 km (3 X 2 km)
  • Sprint: 7.5 km (3 X 2.5 km)
  • Pursuit: 10 km (5 X 2 km)
  • Mass Start: 12.5 km (5 X 2.5 km)
  • Short Individual: 12.5 km (5 X 2.5 km)
  • Individual: 15 km (5 X 3 km)

men competitions

  • Super Sprint: 7.5 km (3 X 2.5 km)
  • Sprint: 10 km (3 X 3.3 km)
  • Pursuit: 12.5 km (5 X 2.5 km)
  • Mass Start: 15 km (5 X 3 km)
  • Short Individual: 15 km (5 X 3 km)
  • Individual: 20 km (5 X 4 km)
Two female biathletes in matching team uniforms complete a relay exchange, with the incoming athlete (left) makes a physical tag on the outgoing athlete (right)

Relay competitions

  • Men: 4 X 7.5 km (Each Leg 3 X 2.5 km)
  • Women: 4 X 6 km (Each leg 3 X 2 km)
  • Mixed Relay: 4 X 6 km (Men and Women)
  • Single Mixed Relay: 6 km Women (as above) + 7.5 km Men (as above) or vice-versa depending on who starts first

Shooting

All competitors use a .22 caliber rifle with four magazines, each magazine holds five bullets. They shoot at round metal targets that are 50 meters away, either in prone position (lying down) or standing position. The prone targets are 4.5 cm in diameter while the standing targets are larger at 11.5 cm wide. Each round of shooting has five targets. At first, the targets are black; they turn white when they are hit.

SHOOTING FORMATS

(P = Prone position, S = Standing position)

  • Sprints and relays: PS
    In relays, three spare bullets are allowed to hit the five targets. The spare bullets are carried in the rifle and must be hand loaded.
  • Pursuit and Mass Start: PPSS
  • Individuals: PSPS
A row of white biathlon target mechanisms, each featuring five black circular targets, being inspected by two officials at a snowy shooting range

Penalties

Penalties are the result of missed targets, consisting of either a time penalty or skiing a penalty loop, depending on the competition type.

A biathlete skis on the penalty loop, which is clearly marked by a yellow sign, to serve the time penalty required for missed shots

PENALTIES BY COMPETITION TYPE

  • Sprint, Pursuit, Mass Start, Relay, Mixed Relay: 150-meter penalty loop for each missed target
  • Super Sprint, Single Mixed Relay: 75-meter penalty loop for each missed target
  • Individual: 1-minute time penalty added to final time for each missed target
  • Short Individual: 45-second time penalty added to final time for each missed target