Biathlon is a winter sport that combines two disciplines: cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Athletes compete in a race where they ski a specified distance, stopping at designated shooting ranges to shoot at targets with a rifle. The sport requires not only physical endurance and speed in skiing but also precision and control during shooting, as competitors must manage their heart rate and breathing after exerting themselves physically. Penalties are often imposed for missed shots, typically requiring the athlete to ski additional distance. Biathlon is featured in the Winter Olympic Games and has various competition formats, including individual races, sprints, pursuits, and relays. The origins of biathlon can be traced back to military training, where soldiers needed to be skilled in both skiing and shooting for survival and combat scenarios in winter conditions.