Clean shooting has secured Johan-Olav Botn of Norway the gold medal after the men's 20-kilometer individual biathlon at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Olympic biathletes shoot at targets using .22-caliber rifles while racing on cross-country skis. Here’s a closer look at the combined sporting event. (Photo: AP)

Johan-Olav Botn hit all 20 targets to claim gold for Norway in the Olympic 20 kilometres biathlon race on Tuesday. Botn, the early season World Cup leader, was 14.

Biathlon combines two sports – cross-country skiing and shooting – into one race. The biathlon first made its debut 66 years ago in the 1960 Winter Olympics at the renamed Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe. This year, the Winter Olympic biathlon games will be held in Antholz (Anterselva), Italy.

Norway's Johan-Olav Botn roared the name of late teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken as he crossed the line as winner of the men's 20 km individual biathlon on Tuesday, pointing to the heavens in a moment of triumph and grief.

U.S. Biathlon head coach Armin Auchentaller grew up cross-country skiing on the trails that weave through the thick forests lining the Antholz valley in northern Italy.

Live stream this fascinating combination of rifle shooting and cross-country skiing from anywhere in the world.

Biathlon's mixed relay event at the Milano Cortina Olympics saw lots of fancied competitors crack under pressure, undone by the sport's tendency to catch out even the best when faced with five targets to hit from 50 metres with the world watching.

Biathlon begins Sunday with the mixed relay event. It will set the tone for the ten following events in Milan Cortina and Team Italy's hopes for a biathlon medal.