Para biathlon
Medal winners at the 2010 Paralympics | |
| Highest governing body | International Biathlon Union (IBU) |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | Individual or two-person teams |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Outdoor |
| Equipment | |
| Venue | |
| Presence | |
| World Championships | Since 2024 |
| Paralympic | Since 1988 |
Para biathlon is a winter sport that combines target shooting and cross-country skiing. It is a race with contestants alternating between skiing through a cross-country trail and shooting at targets; missed shots result in a penalty of either extra time or extra distance. Para biathlon includes standing events, sitting events (for wheelchair users), and events for athletes with visual impairments, and has been a Paralympic sport since 1988.
An adaptation of biathlon for athletes with a disability, Para biathlon is one of two Nordic skiing disciplines in the Paralympic Winter Games, the other being Para cross-country skiing. Since 2024, the sport is governed by the International Biathlon Union (IBU).