Biathlon is a sport that combines competitive, free-technique movement and marksmanship. The word biathlon is of Greek origin and means "two tests." Several other competition forms of movement and shooting, such as ski archery, snowshoe biathlon, running and shooting, and mountain bike biathlon, are also normally included in the general category of biathlon. However, by far the most common form of biathlon is the cross-country skiing and small-bore rifle marksmanship competition. It is this latter type of biathlon that is an OLYMPIC GAMES event.

The combination of two very contradictory disciplines, skiing and shooting, in the same competition confronts an athlete with a very demanding challenge. Cross-country racing requires intense, full-out physical exertion over an extended period of time, while shooting demands extremely fine control and stability. When athletes arrive at the shooting range they have to shoot at a very small target with a racing heartbeat and heaving chest because the clock is running even while they are shooting.