What are the penalties in para biathlon?
A · Advanced · Shooting and penalties · 3 of 4There are three time penalties. Thirty seconds is for start faults and wrong positions or lanes. One minute is for not giving way, obstruction and spring-support faults. Two minutes is for each skipped loop, each shot not fired, cross-fire and early hand-overs. Disqualification covers unmarked rifles, firing over five rounds, removing skis and unsafe rifle handling.
How it works
- Thirty seconds: start and lane faults.
- One minute: passing and support faults.
- Two minutes: loops, shots, cross-fire.
- Disqualification: serious breaches.
- Over five rounds: DSQ.
- Unsafe handling: DSQ.
- Reprimand: minor matters.
- Fines: up to 1,000 euros by the jury.
The glossary has the thirty-second penalty, the one-minute penalty, the two-minute penalty, the disqualification, the cross-fire and the reprimand.
Tricky cases
An athlete shoots at the next lane's target. Penalty?
Two minutes for cross-fire.
Wrong lane because an official sent them?
No penalty.
An athlete leaves the mat with shots unfired?
Two minutes per shot.
Can a gross breach be punished later?
Yes, by suspension.
Why the rule exists
Graded penalties match the sanction to the advantage gained, with safety breaches the most serious.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-fire | 2 minutes | E 11.3.3 |
| Over five rounds | DSQ | E 11.3.4 |
| Gross breach | Suspension | E 11.5 |
From the rule book
IBU, Para Biathlon Event and Competition Rules (version 2025), articles 8.7.3, 11.1 to 11.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBU Para Biathlon ECR 2025.