Paralympic biathlon was introduced to the Paralympic Games in 1988 for athletes with a physical impairment, and athletes with a visual impairment became eligible to compete in 1992. Similar to Olympic biathlon competitions, Para biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. (Click here for a story I wrote about Olympic biathlon, which includes details about the .22 rifles used, target distance and size, and more.)

Competitors in Para biathlon shoot an air rifle (.177 caliber) fitted with open sights (no scopes). Target distance is only 10 meters (32.8 feet) but the bull’s-eye is very small. Target size is only 13mm (.51 inches) in diameter for athletes with a physical disability; for athletes with vision impairments, it’s 21mm (.83 inches).

Para biathlon athletes are categorized as standing, sit-ski or visually impaired; they compete against athletes with similar disabilities. Unlike Olympic biathlon competitors who shoot from both the standing and prone positions, Para athletes always shoot from a prone position.

In the video immediately below, you’ll see Team USA’s Kendall Gretsch edge out teammate Oksana Masters in the recent 10k sit-ski Paralympic biathlon race.

For more information about Para biathlon, including the various classifications and the type of aiming system used by visually impaired athletes (spoiler: it’s really cool!), check out the video below.