Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Individual Event (20 km Men / 15 km Women)
The longest and most traditional biathlon event. Athletes ski 5 loops (4 km each for men, 3 km each for women) with 4 shooting stages in alternating order: prone, standing, prone, standing (Rule 1.4.10.4). Each missed target adds a 1-minute time penalty to the athlete's total ski time (Rule 1.4.10.4, Rule 9.2.1). There is no penalty loop — the time addition is applied to the final result.
5.2 Sprint Event (10 km Men / 7.5 km Women)
Three skiing loops with 2 shooting stages: first prone, then standing (Rule 1.4.10.4). Each missed target requires the athlete to ski one 150 m penalty loop (Rule 3.3.11, Rule 7.1.5). The Sprint is the usual qualifying competition for the Pursuit (Rule 1.7.6).
5.3 Pursuit Event (12.5 km Men / 10 km Women)
The top 60 finishers from the qualifying competition start at intervals corresponding to their time gaps from the winner (Rule 1.7.6, Rule 15.6.4). Five skiing loops with 4 shooting stages: prone, prone, standing, standing (Rule 1.4.10.4). Penalty loops for misses. The first athlete across the finish line wins (Rule 9.2.2.2) — it is a head-to-head chase format where the qualifying advantage carries forward.
5.4 Mass Start (15 km Men / 12.5 km Women)
All 30 athletes start simultaneously in a mass start (Rule 6.1.4, Rule 13.4.1). Five skiing loops with 4 shooting stages: prone, prone, standing, standing (Rule 1.4.10.4). Athletes must shoot from the lane designated by their start number in the first bout and fill the range sequentially from the right in order of arrival in subsequent bouts (Rule 8.2.1). Penalty loops for misses. The first across the finish line wins (Rule 9.2.2.2).
5.5 Relay (4×7.5 km Men / 4×6 km Women)
Each team of 4 athletes skis one leg consisting of 3 skiing loops and 2 shooting stages (prone, standing) (Rule 1.4.10.4). In relay, athletes have 3 spare rounds per shooting stage in addition to the first five (8 total per stage) (Rule 8.2.2). Spare rounds must be hand-loaded one by one, not loaded directly from a magazine (Rule 8.2.2). After all 8 rounds are fired, any remaining misses result in penalty loops. The hand-over takes place in a designated hand-over zone, where the incoming athlete must touch the outgoing athlete's body or rifle with a hand (Rule 6.3.5).
5.6 Mixed Relay
The Mixed Relay is 4×6 km, with all four legs 6 km; the order of men and women can be either way round (Rule 1.4.3). Same relay shooting rules apply: 5 rounds + 3 spare per stage (Rule 8.2.2). The Mixed Relay is typically one of the shortest biathlon events, making it spectator-friendly and fast-paced.
5.7 Shooting Procedure
Upon arriving at the range, athletes enter their lane, remove the rifle from the harness, assume the shooting position (prone or standing), and engage the 5 targets. In prone shooting, the rifle may only be in contact with the athlete's hands, shoulder and cheek, and the wrist of the supporting arm must be distinctly raised from the ground (Rule 8.3.1). In standing shooting, the athlete must stand without any support (Rule 8.3.2). After firing, athletes return the rifle to the carrying position before resuming skiing (Rule 8.5.4) and ski any penalty loops immediately (Rule 7.1.5).