<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> <P> The sprint is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) for men and 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) for women; the distance is skied over three laps . The biathlete shoots twice at any shooting lane, once prone and once standing, for a total of 10 shots . For each miss, a penalty loop of 150 metres (490 ft) must be skied before the race can be continued . As in the individual competition, the biathletes start in intervals . </P> <P> In a pursuit, biathletes' starts are separated by their time differences from a previous race, most commonly a sprint . The contestant crossing the finish line first is the winner . The distance is 12.5 kilometres (7.8 mi) for men and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) for women, skied over five laps; there are four shooting bouts (two prone, two standing, in that order), and each miss means a penalty loop of 150 metres (490 ft). To prevent awkward or dangerous crowding of the skiing loops, and overcapacity at the shooting range, World Cup Pursuits are held with only the 60 top ranking biathletes after the preceding race . The biathletes shoot on a first - come, first - served basis at the lane corresponding to the position they arrived for all shooting bouts . </P>

What type of rifle do they use in the biathlon in the olympics