biathlon
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biathlon
A winter sport that consists of a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. The athletes must alternate between covering a distance on skis and shooting at targets.
Im Fernsehen wird heute der Biathlon-Weltcup aus Norwegen übertragen.
The Biathlon World Cup from Norway is being broadcast on television today.
The word 'Biathlon' (biathlon) comes from Greek. The prefix 'bi-' means 'two' and 'athlon' means 'contest'. So it is literally a 'two-event contest', which describes the two disciplines of cross-country skiing and shooting.
Triathlon ist ein Dreikampf, Biathlon nur ein Zweikampf.
A triathlon is a three-event contest; a biathlon is only a two-event contest.
Biathlon is often mentioned in connection with competitions. Typical combinations are 'der Biathlon-Weltcup' (the Biathlon World Cup), 'ein Biathlon-Rennen' (a biathlon race), or 'die Biathlon-Weltmeisterschaft' (the Biathlon World Championship).
Sie trainiert hart für die nächste Biathlon-Weltmeisterschaft.
She is training hard for the next Biathlon World Championship.
When talking about participating in or watching this sporting event, the preposition 'beim' (bei dem, at the) is often used. For example, you say that you watch along 'beim Biathlon' (at the biathlon) or that an athlete starts 'beim Biathlon' (in the biathlon).
Wir haben gestern den ganzen Nachmittag beim Biathlon mitgefiebert.
Yesterday we spent the whole afternoon excitedly following the biathlon.
triathlon
'der Biathlon' and 'der Triathlon' are both sports in which several disciplines are combined. That is why the words are easy to confuse. The most important difference is the type of disciplines. Biathlon is a winter sport: the athletes ski and shoot at targets. In a triathlon, you do swimming, cycling, and running one after another. The number in the word also helps: 'bi-' stands here for two areas, 'tri-' for three. If snow, skis, and shooting are involved, 'Biathlon' is correct. If swimming, cycling, and running are involved, 'Triathlon' is correct.
Am Wochenende schaut der Verkäufer mit seiner Kollegin den Biathlon im Fernsehen.
At the weekend, the salesman watches the biathlon on TV with his colleague.
Herr Fischer trainiert für den Triathlon, deshalb schwimmt er morgens und läuft abends.
Mr. Fischer is training for the triathlon, so he swims in the morning and runs in the evening.