Q 01/05

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with which other discipline?

A) Archery

B) Rifle shooting

C) Ski jumping

D) Curling

Answer · why

B) Rifle shooting

In the Nordic languages the sport is simply called ski-shooting.

Q 02/05

Biathlon developed from which older sport, contested at the 1924 Winter Olympics?

A) Modern pentathlon

B) Military patrol

C) Ski orienteering

D) Field artillery drill

Answer · why

B) Military patrol

That precursor was contested at the 1924 Winter Olympics and demonstrated at three later Games.

Q 03/05

How far away are the targets on a biathlon range?

A) 25 metres

B) 100 metres

C) 50 metres

D) 150 metres

Answer · why

C) 50 metres

The distance was cut from 150 metres in 1978, the same year the small-bore .22 cartridge was standardised.

Q 04/05

How many targets must a biathlete hit in each shooting bout?

A) Three

B) Four

C) Six

D) Five

Answer · why

D) Five

Each rifle magazine holds exactly five rounds, one per target.

Q 05/05

What is the diameter of the target hit zone when shooting prone?

A) 45 mm

B) 60 mm

C) 80 mm

D) 115 mm

Answer · why

A) 45 mm

Standing shooters get a 115 mm zone, but the black bull they aim at looks the same size in both positions.

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