Biathlon at the 2018 Winter Paralympics

Competition events and distances

Races are organized by distance and by impairment category. For the 2018 Games the individual race distances were grouped as short, medium and long. Distances differed for men and women and were set as follows:

• Short: 7.5 km (men), 6 km (women)
• Medium: 12.5 km (men), 10 km (women)
• Long: 15 km (men), 12.5 km (women)

Each race combined skiing laps with shooting bouts; athletes alternate between skiing and shooting at targets in prescribed positions. Missed shots carry penalties which are applied either as penalty loops or added time, depending on the event format.

Classification and categories

Competitors are classified into broad categories so that athletes with similar levels of function compete against each other. The primary groupings used in PyeongChang were:

• Visually impaired (VI) — athletes ski with a sighted guide and use an electronic acoustic aiming system for shooting.
• Standing — athletes with a locomotive impairment who compete standing, using standard skiing technique with possible equipment adaptations.
• Sitting — athletes who use a sitski (sit-ski) because of impaired lower-limb function.

Further sub-classifications refine these groups to equalize competition; for more detail see the official classification guide.

Venue and schedule

The Alpensia Biathlon Centre hosted the races on three separate days during the Games, using its dedicated shooting range and prepared ski loops. The venue is equipped to support the accessibility and technical needs of Paralympic athletes, including range adaptations for acoustic aiming and secure start/finish areas. Official event times and results were published by the PyeongChang organizing committee and related resources: PyeongChang 2018.

Equipment, shooting and notable rules

Paralympic biathletes use smallbore rifles and ski equipment tailored to their classification. Visually impaired skiers rely on sound-emitting electronic aiming devices to indicate target alignment; sit-ski competitors use a frame with skis and propel themselves with poles. Shooting positions can be adapted — for example, sitting athletes shoot from a supported seat. Penalties for misses are applied consistently across classifications, ensuring the combination of skiing speed and shooting accuracy determines medalists.

Biathlon has been part of the Winter Paralympic program for many years and has evolved alongside advances in adaptive equipment and classification science. A notable feature of the visually impaired events is that sighted guides race with the athlete and are recognized alongside them on the podium, reflecting the teamwork essential to that category.