Para Biathlon is a Paralympic sport which is an adaptation of biathlon for athletes with a range of disabilities. Athletes with physical impairments or visual impairments/blindness are eligible to compete in the competitions and are categorized into various sport classes. Athletes with visual impairments use a rifle that shoots a laser beam at the target and use sound to indicate the accuracy of the aim made by the athlete.
The sport was included at the Winter Paralympics in 1988 for physically impaired athletes and in 1992 visually impaired athletes also became eligible to compete in the competition. It is one of the two disciplines of Nordic skiing at the Winter Paralympics; the other one is cross-country skiing.
To cover the overall distance and hit the shooting targets (without missing) in the fastest time possible.
| Men’s Events |
Women’s Events |
| 7.5 km |
6 km |
| 12.5 km |
10 km
|
| 15 km |
12.5 km |
Male and female athletes participate as individuals or in teams (in relay events) in different biathlon events.
Para-biathlon course is around 2-2.5km, skied three to five times using the freestyle technique for a total distance of 6-15km.
The Chief Of Course
Responsible for making the course ready for the competition.
The Chief Of Shooting
Responsible for managing all operations related to the shooting phase.
The Start Referee
Responsible for the smooth operation of the beginning of the event and determines the late or false start of the skiers. He/she must remain at the start until the end of the event.
The Finish Referee
Responsible for controlling the finish-line operations and checks whether a skier has finished the race or not.
The Chief Of Timing And Calculations
Responsible for coordinating with the start and finish officials about timing and calculations regarding the competitions.
