During the last three Winter Olympics, biathletes had to race at night on icy snow and lighted trails, at venues that had rarely been used, since they were built just for the Games.

A star skier at Vermont, Freed’s interest in the biathlon was primarily fueled by a chance “to do something new.” That initial dabbling didn’t come with Olympic aspirations.

By Philip O'Connor ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The staging of the biathlon competitions in Antholz-Anterselva in northern Italy is set to give tourism in the region a huge boost as hotels, restaurants and attractions showcase their unique German-influenced culture for a global Olympic audience.

Each documentary will be dedicated to a different winter discipline: biathlon, cross-country skiing, and mogul skiing

Russia will not compete as a country in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The IOC ban keeps its name, flag and anthem out of the Games.

The United States has the most athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, but is not favored to win the gold medal race.

ROME (AP) — Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler tested positive for doping and was provisionally suspended Monday from competing in her hometown at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Italy’s anti-doping agency said Passler tested positive for letrozole in an out-of-competition sample ahead of the Olympics that open Friday.

Russia's sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev believes that the Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics could be a turning point. "We are returning to world sports," Degtyarev has said in the run-up to Friday's opening ceremony.