SportsJuly 23, 2026

biathlon

/baɪˈæθlɒn/

Definition

A competitive winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'bi-' (two) and 'athlon' (contest or prize), directly reflecting its nature as a two-part event.

In the news

The article uses the word to categorize a specific sporting discipline that suffered from a lost generation of Russian competitors due to international sanctions. It illustrates the long-term professional consequences of prolonged exclusion from global events.

IOC drops Russia ban, but it might not be all good news for the Kremlin

Read the full article ↗

The Christian Science Monitor

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