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