Biathlon combines two sports – cross-country skiing and shooting – into one race. The biathlon first made its debut 66 years ago in the 1960 Winter Olympics at the renamed Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe. This year, the Winter Olympic biathlon games will be held in Antholz (Anterselva), Italy.

Here is how the Biathlon works, including its rules, scoring and history in the Olympics.

Here's is the full Olympic biathlon schedule for the 2026 Winter Games

Olympic biathletes shoot at targets using .22-caliber rifles while racing on cross-country skis. Here’s a closer look at the combined sporting event. (Photo: AP)

Here's what to know on when biathlon begins at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, including a look at its full schedule for the Winter Games.

ANTERSELVA, Italy (AP) — U.S. Biathlon head coach Armin Auchentaller learned to cross-country ski on the trails that weave through the thick forests lining the Antholz valley in Northern Italy. Before he was even born,

The U.S. has medaled in every Winter Olympic sport, except Biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Here's what to know:

From the events to the format, here's everything to know for the biathlon action at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Biathlon is the only winter Olympic sport in which the U.S. has never medaled. But this year, the U.S. has the two standout biathletes and a coach who grew up on the doorstep of the Olympic venue.

Campbell Wright made his Olympic debut for NZ in 2022. This year, he's there for the USA.