Winter Olympics 2014: Your guide to Biathlon

8-22 Feb at Laura Centre

What is it? Cross-country skiing and shooting combined. There are 11 events, five for men and women and one combined – the mixed relay is making its debut. There are races of between six and 20km, with competitors stopping two or four times to shoot at targets 50m away.

What do I need to know? If athletes miss the target, they do a lap of a 150m "forfeit" circuit before rejoining the race.

Tell me something I don't know Ole Einar Bjorndalen, aiming for a record-equalling 12th Winter medal, puts his success down to his "mental coach", a former vacuum cleaner salesman. They first met when he convinced Bjorndalen to buy one.

GB chances Soldiers Lee Jackson and Amanda Lightfoot are seeking a top 30 finish.

One to watch Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen won four golds at the 2013 World Championships.