<P> In the Olympics, all cross-country skiing techniques are permitted in the biathlon, allows the use of skate skiing, which is overwhelmingly the choice of competitors . The minimum ski length is the height of the skier minus 4 centimetres (1.6 in). The rifle has to be carried by the skier during the race at all times . </P> <P> The biathlete carries a small - bore rifle, which weighs at least 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lb), excluding ammunition and magazines . The rifles use . 22 LR ammunition and are bolt action or Fortner (straight - pull bolt) action . The rifle must weight more than 3.5 kilograms . Each rifle holds 4 magazines with 5 rounds each . Additional rounds can be kept on the stock of the rifle for a relay race . </P> <P> The target range shooting distance is 50 metres (160 ft). There are five circular targets to be hit in each shooting round . When shooting in the prone position, the target diameter is 45 millimetres (1.8 in); when shooting in the standing position, the target diameter is 115 millimetres (4.5 in). On all modern biathlon ranges, the targets are self - indicating, in that they flip from black to white when hit, giving the biathlete, as well as the spectators, instant visual feedback for each shot fired . </P> <P> The 20 kilometres (12 mi) individual race (15 kilometres (9.3 mi) for women) is the oldest biathlon event; the distance is skied over five laps . The biathlete shoots four times at any shooting lane, in the order of prone, standing, prone, standing, totaling 20 targets . For each missed target a fixed penalty time, usually one minute, is added to the skiing time of the biathlete . Competitors' starts are staggered, normally by 30 seconds . </P>

What do they shoot in the winter olympics