| Technically, a biathlon is any athletic event that is | | | | of a cat together with the strength of a bull. Neither |
| made up of two distinct legs of individual activity. | | | | of these qualities can be achieved without a lot of |
| This can mean a combination of biking and swimming, | | | | hard work, dedication, and talent. |
| skiing and archery, or any other two sports that are | | | | As a counterpoint to this event, riflery presents quite |
| practiced by an individual rather than a team. | | | | a challenge as it demands another set of skills |
| Although the sky is the limit as to what kind of | | | | entirely. The art of accurate rife work is a very |
| sports can fall under the heading of a biathlon leg, | | | | delicate one, and the matter of winning or losing this |
| there are a few standard combinations of sports | | | | portion of the biathlon often comes down to a mere |
| that are usually part of a biathlon. Biathlons | | | | few centimeters difference between the aim of one |
| traditionally take place either in the summer season | | | | shooter and the aim of another. This kind of shooting |
| or during the winter. A summer biathlon often | | | | requires incredible precision and mental concentration. |
| consists of running and shooting. | | | | Many biathlon fans feel that successfully achieving |
| The most common form of biathlon takes place | | | | excellence in both skiing and shooting is the mark of |
| during the winter and is made up of a combination of | | | | a truly accomplished sportsman. |
| cross country skiing and rifle work. The biathlon as | | | | The variety of challenges these two events present |
| we know it is an offshoot of a training regimen used | | | | is a wide one indeed as they require completely |
| in the Norwegian army to prepare soldiers for battle. | | | | different sets of skills, utilize a full range of muscle |
| This sheds some light on why riflery is such an | | | | groups, and demand that an athlete be able to show |
| important part of the sport, and why a great | | | | discipline and talent while covering ground and while |
| multi-seasonal biathlete needs to be equipped to | | | | remaining fairly stationary. To be able to take first |
| cover different kinds of terrain. | | | | place in a traditional biathlon, one must be very |
| The purely physical challenges of a classic winter | | | | well-rounded in both body and mind as the events |
| biathlon are quite formidable. Cross country skiing | | | | require intense physical exertion and precise focus |
| requires grace, balance, and tremendous power. | | | | and concentration. |
| Becoming a serious competitor for this portion of the | | | | Although today's most accomplished biathletes may |
| winter biathlon event requires intense lower body | | | | not ever find the kind of fame and fortune that the |
| training over many months of preparation. To be able | | | | stars of higher profile sports enjoy, many dedicated |
| to glide across the snow with the speed necessary | | | | biathlon fans consider these men and women to be |
| to win this portion of a biathlon requires the elegance | | | | the greatest living athletes. |