Biathlon is considered to be one of the most exciting and spectacular sports in Russia. The schedule of all competitions held in the marked type of physical culture in the 2017-2018 season is already known. Starting from the end of November, various stages of the World Cup, the European Championship, the junior championship, and one of the most anticipated competitions, the Winter Olympics 2018, will be held monthly.
New season rules
The 2018 Biathlon World Cup will consist of 9 stages. Each of them is planned to be held in different countries and will relate to certain competitive disciplines.
- Sprint is a race with two fire lines.
- Mixed relay, consisting of two stages, different for men and women.
- Mass start - a race with 4 fire lines.
- Pursuit - the exact start time of the athletes depends on the results of the sprint.
- Relay of the same type - 4 biathletes from each team compete in a separate stage.
- Individual race - consists of 4 firing lines, for each miss on which an extra minute is added.
For the first 4 types of biathlon, athletes are awarded a certain number of points. For example, a leader position in a sprint is worth 60 points, while the last, 40th place, deserves no more than 1 point. The individual race provides an opportunity to replenish your own "track record" only for the first 30 biathletes who have arrived at the finish line. At the same time, the leader gets 60 points, the second - 54, the third - 48, and so on. In the final of the entire tournament, the athlete who has scored the most points receives a cash reward and the most famous biathlon trophy - the Crystal Globe. 
Schedule of the future championship
To understand where each of the stages of the competition in the marked sport will take place, you should show the entire chronology of each of them.
- Östersund - from November 27 to December 3, 2017.
- Hochfilzen - from 4 to 10 December 2017.
- Annecy - from 11 to 17 December 2017.
- Oberhof - from 2 to 7 January 2018.
- Ruhpolding - from 8 to 14 January 2018.
- Antholz - from 15 to 21 January 2018.
- Kontiolahti - from 5 to 11 March 2018.
- Oslo - from 12 to 18 March 2018.
- Tyumen - from 19 to 25 March 2018.
A two-month break in the competition is required for additional competitions: the European Championship, scheduled from January 22 to 28, 2018, as well as the Pyeongchang Olympics, from February 9 to 25, 2018. At the mentioned tournaments, the main fight of biathletes will be conducted in 6 stages: sprint, mass start, individual race, mixed and same type relay race, as well as pursuit. 
Detailed information about each stage of the competition
The world championship in the noted sport begins in a small Swedish town Ostersund, where no more than 60 thousand people currently live. A feature of this place is its proximity to the Arctic Circle - only 100 km. Since the beginning of November, it has been quite cool here (-5 ... -10 degrees), and the height of the snow cover reaches 15 centimeters. The biathlon track itself consists of different levels of difficulty, which allows you to clearly follow all stages of the race directly from the podium.
Next, the biathletes will move to the Austrian town Hochfilzen, where there is a very small difference in height - in the region of 40 meters. It is clear that in this case, the main feature of the race will be exclusively shooting. The local stadium can accommodate only 5 thousand people, and at the time of the world championship there is nowhere for an apple to fall. When the sun hides behind impenetrable clouds, the track is enveloped in thick fog, which makes shooting more unpredictable and interesting.
Biathlon in a French settlement Annecy considered one of the most dynamic in the world. The current track impresses with its steep climbs and unexpected descents. As a result, the final of the local competitions depends solely on the speed of the participants themselves.
german town track Oberhof famous throughout the world for its large elevation difference. In some cases, the rises can reach 400 meters. Recently, a new stadium has appeared here, accommodating at least 12 thousand spectators. Usually, all fans are very conscientious about their immediate duties, and therefore support their favorite favorites with considerable zeal. 
The next stage - another German race in Ruhpolding. It is famous for its unpredictability and entertainment. In addition to considerable elevation changes, the local weather is no less capricious. Very often the air temperature becomes positive, and then the perfect snow cover turns into a real mess that sticks to the skis. For athletes, it is impossible to imagine more difficult conditions, but this does not negate the main highlight of the local biathlon - the proximity of the spectator stands to the shooting range (no more than 10 meters).
Further, the 2018 biathlon championship will be relocated to Italy, to the town Antholz. The local track is very gentle, which did not prevent the organizers from making it more interesting with the help of artificial climbs. To overcome the entire distance, the athletes will have to work hard. The stadium can accommodate only 5 thousand people, but there is a huge screen from which the results of the competition can be clearly seen.
The next stage of the championship is planned in Finnish Kontiolahti. The local track is considered unique, as it is located at an altitude of 120 meters above sea level. It is clear that the air here is a little rarefied, and therefore, during the competition, athletes have to deal with oxygen starvation. What can we say - for the victory you will need to exhaust all the forces of the body and make really titanic efforts. The local stadium is designed for 10 thousand spectators, and is also equipped with information screens and a large scoreboard.
The next stage of biathlon is held at the Norwegian stadium in Oslo. The local track consists of steep descents, due to which falls are not uncommon during the competition. A huge number of people come to watch the Winter Games, and therefore even the athlete who comes to the finish line last is greeted with a standing ovation.
The final stage of the championship of the 2017-2018 season will be held in the Russian town Tyumen. A feature of this place will be quite strong Siberian frosts - -25 degrees minimum. It is worth recalling that in connection with the outbreak of a doping scandal, the IOC moved the last year's stage of the championship in Russia to the Czech New Place. It is quite possible that this year the situation will repeat itself, but so far there have been no official statements on this matter.
Winter Olympic Games 2018
Most recently, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, announced that the capital of the XXIII Winter Olympics will be the South Korean Pchenchang. According to the voting results, this city was ahead of its main competitors: French Annecy and German Munich. The biathlon tournament, which will be held as part of the Olympics, will be held from February 9 to 25, 2018.
World Cup Schedule 2018
The beginning of the season for Russian fans starts with the final stage of the World Cup, which will be held from 19 to 25 March 2018 in Tyumen. Within the framework of this championship, the following biathlon competitions will take place:
- sprint;
- pursuit;
- relay race;
- mass start;
- individual check-in.
According to the results of the races held, the official rating of participants in individual performances and in the overall standings will be formed. In the season finale, the winner will be announced based on the total points scored in all disciplines, who will receive a cash reward, an international certificate and a special trophy - the Crystal Globe.
According to the traditional scheme, the World Cup is divided into several rounds, which take place on different biathlon tracks. As a rule, the duration of one round is on average 7 days.
In the 2017-2018 season, the World Cup will consist of 9 stages, which are scheduled in the following cities:
- Östersund (Sweden): November 27 - December 3, 2017;
- Hochfilzen (Austria): 4 – 10 December 2017;
- Annecy (France): December 11 - 17, 2017;
- Oberhof (Germany): January 2 – 7, 2018;
- Ruhpolding (Germany): January 8 – 14, 2018:
- Antholz (Italy): January 15 - 21, 2018;
- Kontiolahti (Finland): 5 – 11 March 2018:
- Oslo (Norway): March 12 - 18, 2018;
- Tyumen (Russia): March 19 - 25, 2018.
According to Vladimir Yakushev of the Tyumen region, in the 2018-2019 World Cup season, the capital of the region may be excluded from the list of cities in which the championship stages will be held. This unpleasant news is connected with the decision of the IOC, whose leadership is actively preventing the holding of major international tournaments in our country.
European Championship 2017 - 2018
This continental championship is one of the most significant events of the upcoming biathlon season. The tournament will be held on the slopes of the Italian Ridnaun from 21st to 28th January 2018. According to the established regulations, the championship includes the following disciplines:
- sprint;
- pursuit;
- individual race (among adults and juniors);
- men's and women's relay races;
- mixed relay (men + women).
Within the framework of the tournament, 15 sets of medals will be played.
Junior Biathlon World Championship 2017 - 2018
The Estonian center of winter sports and tourism, the city of Otepää, will host the most prestigious championship among juniors. Competitions for young athletes will be held from February 26 to March 3, 2018.
During the tournament, its participants will compete for 16 sets of awards in the pursuit, relay, individual race and sprint.
SME Cup 2017 - 2018
This international championship has the format of continental biathlon competitions for men and women. The tournament regulations provide for: single and mixed relays, sprint, pursuit, as well as competition in an individual race.
Based on the results of the performances, an individual rating and an overall standings of biathletes are formed. The winners of the competition are declared by individual participants and teams that have scored the maximum number of points in the above disciplines.
Preliminary calendar of IBU games 2017 - 2018
Unlike the World Cup, the International Biathlon Union tournament is divided into 8 stages:
- Beitostolen (Norway): November 24 - 26, 2017;
- Lenzerheide (Switzerland): December 8 – 11, 2017;
- Obertilliach (Austria): December 13 - 16, 2017;
- Osrbli (Slovakia): 5 – 7 January 2018;
- Arber (Germany): January 11 - 13, 2018;
- Ceile-Gradistei (Romania): February 8 – 11, 2018;
- Uvat (Russia): March 8 – 11, 2018;
- Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia): March 13 - 17, 2018.
The preliminary schedule of the IBU Cup confirms that the final stages of this tournament, including its final, will be held in Russia. This news is an additional bonus for domestic fans, as they will be able to witness the most spectacular races of the season.
At present, the composition of the Russian national team, which will take part in the 2017-2018 season, has become known. The following are approved as the basis of the men's biathlon team: A. Shipulin, E. Garanichev, M. Tsvetkov, A. Babikov, A. Loginov, A. Volkov, M .Eliseev, Yu.Shopin.
Biathlon World Cup 2017/2018 - will be held in nine stages, plus the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Below is a calendar for the entire 2017-2018 season. The calendar is preliminary and may change over time.
Stage 1 - Östersund (SWE) November 26 - December 03, 2017
26.11 16:15 1. MIXED RELAY (SUPERMIX)
26.11 19:10 2. MIXED RELAY
11/29 19:15 3. WOMEN 15KM INDIVIDUAL
11/30 19:15 4. MEN 20KM INDIVIDUAL
01.12 19:45 5. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
02.12 16:45 6. MEN 10KM SPRINT
03.12 15:15 7. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
03.12 17:15 8. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
Stage 2 - Hochfilzen (AUT) 08 - 10 December 2017
08.12 13:30 1. MEN 10KM SPRINT
08.12 16:15 2. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
09.12 14:15 3. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
09.12 16:45 4. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
10.12 13:30 5. MEN 4X7.5KM RELAY
10.12 16:10 6. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
Stage 3 - Annecy (FRA) 14 - 17 December 2017
14.12 16:15 1. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
15.12 16:15 2. MEN 10KM SPRINT
16.12 13:45 3. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
16.12 16:45 4. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
17.12 13:45 5. WOMEN 12.5 KM MASS START
17.12 16:45 6. MEN 15KM MASS START
Stage 4 - Oberhof (GER) 04 - 07 January 2018
Date Msk Discipline04.01 14:30 1. WOMEN, 7.5 KM, SPRINT
05.01 16:15 2. MEN 10KM SPRINT
01/06 14:15 3. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
01/06 17:00 4. MEN 12.5KM PURSUIT
07.01 13:30 5. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
07.01 16:30 6. MEN 4X7.5 KM RELAY
Stage 5 - Ruhpolding (GER) 10 - 14 January 2018
10.01 16:20 1. MEN 20KM INDIVIDUAL
11.01 16:20 2. WOMEN 15KM INDIVIDUAL
12.01 16:30 3. MEN 4X7.5KM RELAY
13.01 16:30 4. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
14.01 14:15 5. MEN 15KM MASS START
14.01 16:40 6. WOMEN 12.5 KM MASS START
Stage 6 - Antholz (ITA) 18 - 21 January 2018
18.01 16:15 1. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
19.01 16:15 2. MEN 10KM SPRINT
20.01 15:15 3. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
20.01 17:00 4. MEN 12.5KM PURSUIT
21.01 14:30 5. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
21.01 16:45 6. MEN 4X7.5KM RELAY
OG - PyeongChang 2018 (KOR) February 09 - 25, 2018
10.02 14:15 1. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
11.02 14:15 2. MEN 10KM SPRINT
12.02 13:10 3. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
12.02 15:00 4. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
14.02 14:05 5. MEN 20KM INDIVIDUAL
15.02 14:05 6. WOMEN 15KM INDIVIDUAL
17.02 14:15 7. WOMEN 12.5 KM MASS START
18.02 14:15 8. MEN 15KM MASS START
20.02 14:15 9. MIXED RELAY
22.02 14:15 10. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
23.02 14:15 11. MEN 4X7.5KM RELAY
Stage 7 - Kontiolahti (FIN) 08 - 11 March 2018
08.03 19:45 1. MEN 10KM SPRINT
09.03 19:45 2. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
10.03 15:40 3. MIXED RELAY (SUPERMIX)
10.03 18:45 4. MIXED RELAY
11.03 15:40 5. MEN 15KM MASS START
11.03 18:00 6. WOMEN 12.5 KM MASS START
Stage 8 - Holmenkollen (NOR) March 15 - 18, 2018
15.03 14:00 1. WOMEN 7.5 KM SPRINT
15.03 16:45 2. MEN 10KM SPRINT
17.03 14:30 3. WOMEN 4X6 KM RELAY
17.03 16:45 4. MEN 4X7.5KM RELAY
18.03 13:45 5. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
18.03 16:30 6. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
Stage 9 - Tyumen (RUS) March 22 - 25, 2018
22.03 16:45 1. MEN 10KM SPRINT
23.03 16:45 2. WOMEN 7.5KM SPRINT
24.03 15:00 3. MEN 12.5 KM PURSUIT
24.03 17:00 4. WOMEN 10KM PURSUIT
25.03 15:00 5. MEN 15KM MASS START
25.03 17:00 6. WOMEN 12.5 KM MASS START
The first stage will be held in Pokljuka (Slovenia). The World Cup will end with competitions in Holmenkollen (Norway).
First stage. Pokljuka, Slovenia
December 2 - single-mixed and mixed relay.
December 5 - individual race (men).
December 6 - individual race (women).
December 7 - sprint (men).
December 8 - sprint (women).
December 9 - pursuit (men) and pursuit (women).
Second phase. Hochfilzen, Austria
December 13 - sprint (women).
December 14 - sprint (men).
December 15 - pursuit (women) and pursuit (men).
December 16 - relay (women) and relay (men).
Third stage. Nove Mesto, Czech Republic
December 20 - sprint (men).
December 21 - sprint (women).
December 22 - pursuit (men) and pursuit (women).
December 23 - mass start (men) and mass start (women).
Fourth stage. Oberhof, Germany
January 10 - sprint (women).
January 11 - sprint (men).
January 12 - pursuit (women) and pursuit (men).
January 13 - relay (women) and relay (men).
Fifth stage. Ruhpolding, Germany
January 16 - sprint (men).
January 17 - sprint (women).
January 18 - relay race (men).
January 19 - relay (women).
January 20 - mass start (men) and mass start (women).
Sixth stage. Antholz, Italy
January 24 - sprint (women).
January 25 - sprint (men).
January 26 - pursuit (women) and pursuit (men).
January 27 - mass start (women) and mass start (men).
Seventh stage. Canmore, Canada
February 7 - individual race (men) and individual race (women).
February 9 - relay (men) and relay (women).
February 10 - mass start (men) and mass start (women).
Eighth stage. Salt Lake City, USA
February 14 - sprint (women).
February 15 - sprint (men).
February 16 - mass start (women) and mass start (men).
February 17 - single mixed and mixed relay.
Ninth stage. Holmenkollen, Norway
March 21 - sprint (women).
March 22 - sprint (men).
March 23 - pursuit (women) and pursuit (men).
March 24 - mass start (women) and mass start (men).
Biathletes Petr Pashchenko, Semyon Suchilov and Anastasia Egorova are included in the main team of Russia to prepare for the 2018/19 season. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU), according to TASS.
The men's team, in addition to Pashchenko and Suchilov, included Anton Shipulin, Alexander Loginov, Anton Babikov, Maxim Tsvetkov, Evgeny Garanichev and Dmitry Malyshko. Earlier it became known that Anatoly Khovantsev was appointed the head coach of the Russian national team and the head coach of the men's team, who will be assisted by Sergey Idinov and Artem Istomin.
Zaitseva urged to trust the decisions of the new president of the Russian Biathlon Union Drachev
Tatyana Akimova, who participated in the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, as well as Irina Uslugina, who was previously a member of the main team, did not get into the women's team. The full composition of the Russian women's team for the upcoming season is as follows: Ekaterina Yurlova-Perkht, Uliana Kaisheva, Victoria Slivko, Daria Virolainen, Christina Reztsova, Valeria Vasnetsova, Anastasia Egorova and Svetlana Mironova. Vitaly Noritsyn was approved as the head coach of the women's team, with Nikolai Zagursky, Pavel Lantsov and Leonid Guryev.
Additionally, the Russian Biathlon Union has announced the composition of the reserve and junior teams for potential participation in the 2018/19 Biathlon World Cup. The reserve men's team included Nikita Porshnev, Eduard Latypov, Ivan Tomilov, Matvey Eliseev, Alexander Povarnitsyn, Evgeny Idinov, Kirill Streltsov, Igor Malinovsky, and the women's team included Larisa Kuklina, Evgenia Pavlova, Tamara Voronina, Anastasia Morozova, Ekaterina Zubova , Natalia Ushkina, Alexandra Alekseshnikova, Margarita Vasilyeva. The reserve men's team is coached by Sergey Belozerov, Sergey Bashkirov and Vladislav Tulaev, the women's team is coached by Andrey Padin and Sergey Konovalov.
The schedule of the 2017-2018 biathlon season will please all fans of this spectacular sport. Starting from November 27, 2017, several stages of the World Cup will be held monthly. In addition, we are waiting for the European Championship, the world championship among juniors, as well as the winter one, which will definitely include biathlon competitive disciplines.
The 2017-2018 Biathlon World Cup consists of 9 stages held in different countries. At each stage, a number of competitive disciplines are held, such as:
- sprint (race with 2 firing lines);
- mixed relay (2 stages for men, 2 for women);
- mass start (race with general start and 4 firing lines);
- pursuit race (the starting grid is formed according to the results of the sprint);
- the same type of relay (in each team, 4 biathletes run their own stage);
- individual race (4 shooting ranges, for a miss, 1 minute is added to the athlete's time).
According to the results of the sprint, mass start, individual race and pursuit, biathletes are awarded a certain number of points. For example, for the first place in the sprint, 60 points are provided, and for the last (40) - 1 point. In the individual race, only the first 30 places are evaluated: 1 - 60 points, 2 - 54, 3 - 48, etc. After the end of the season, the biathlete who scored the most points receives a cash prize and the main trophy of the tournament - the Crystal Globe.
World Cup Schedule
In chronological order, the stages of the Biathlon World Cup 2017-2018 are as follows:
- Östersund (27.11.2017 – 03.12.2017);
- Hochfilzen (04. 12. 2017 - 10. 12. 2017);
- Annecy (11. 12. 2017 - 17. 12. 2017);
- Oberhof (02.01.2018 – 07.01.2018);
- Ruhpolding (08.01.2018 – 14.01.2018);
- Antholz (January 15, 2018 – January 21, 2018);
- Kontiolahti (03/05/2018 – 03/11/2018);
- Oslo (March 12, 2018 – March 18, 2018);
- Tyumen (March 19, 2018 - March 25, 2018).
More than a two-month break in the stages of the World Cup is provided for the European Championship (from January 22, 2018 to January 28, 2018), as well as in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang (from February 09, 2018 to February 25, 2018). At the mentioned tournaments, medals will be played in the sprint, mass start, individual race, pursuit race, mixed relay and the relay of the same type.
Description of biathlon stages
The start of the Biathlon World Cup takes place in Ostersund, Sweden, a small town with a population of only 60 thousand people. The main advantage of the local route is its close location to the Arctic Circle (less than 100 km). In November, it is always moderately frosty here (-5 - -10 ºС), and the snow depth reaches 10-15 cm. The configuration of the biathlon track has many "loops", so you can watch almost the entire race from the stands.
The track in the Austrian town of Hochfilzen has a relatively small height difference (only 40 meters), as a result of which shooting is of key importance in the race. The local stadium can accommodate 5 thousand spectators, and during the World Cup stage it is literally packed to capacity. Often on bad days, the track is covered with thick fog, which makes shooting even more unpredictable.
The track in French Annecy is one of the fastest and most dynamic. Steep climbs are replaced by sharp descents, so shooting is far from decisive. It will not be difficult for experienced athletes to win back here a few tens of seconds lost on a penalty loop.
The track in the German Oberhof is famous for its elevation changes. In some areas, biathletes have to overcome long climbs 200-400 meters long. The new stadium at the shooting range can accommodate 12,000 spectators who support their athletes so zealously that their cries sometimes drown out the sounds of gunshots.
Race in Ruhpolding - another German stage - is always unpredictable. In addition to significant elevation changes, the local weather brings many surprises. Due to the positive temperature, the snow often turns into an impenetrable mess and sticks to the skis, and this turns the race into a real hell for athletes. The stadium can accommodate 12 thousand spectators, and its main feature is its proximity to the shooting range (less than 10 meters).
In Antholz, Italy, the track is gentle, but a few artificially created "drafts" (steep climbs) make the athletes give all their best. The local stadium seats less than 5,000 spectators, however, it boasts a huge screen that displays the results of the race.
The Finnish stage in Kontiolahti is famous for its unique track. It is located at an altitude of 90-120 meters above sea level, and the rarefied mountain air makes biathletes experience oxygen starvation during the race. The athlete's body is literally working for wear and tear, so to win here you need to make incredible efforts. The stadium in Kontiolahti has a capacity of 10,000 spectators and is equipped with an electronic scoreboard and information screens.
The comparatively modest size of the Norwegian track in Oslo is offset by the amazing fan atmosphere. Also, the local mountain slopes are known for their steep descents, as a result of which falls often occur during the race. In Oslo, no one will gloat over the opponent's failure, and even the biathlete who came to the finish line in last place will receive his portion of applause.
The final stage of the 2017-2018 Biathlon World Cup is so far. The main test for biathletes will be the famous Siberian frosts, reaching -25 ºС. The inclusion of the track in the tournament remains an urgent issue for millions of domestic fans. The fact is that, according to the recommendations of the IOC in connection with the doping scandal in Russian sports, the International Biathlon Union last year moved the stage from Tyumen to the Czech Novo Mesto. A similar castling is likely in the coming season.
Candidates for the Crystal Globe
Biathlon news in 2017 only fueled the audience's interest in the competition. In the men's standings, Martin Fourcade will become a clear contender for the title. Last season, he had no equal, and the French jet won the Crystal Globe with a margin of 453 points. The second place went to the best of the Russians, Anton Shipulin, with whom Fourcade had a conflict. Obviously, Marten was bored by the lack of serious competition, and made a number of impartial remarks about Russian athletes suspected of doping. In response, Anton advised the opponent to mind his own business, and leave doping investigations to more competent specialists. The verbal skirmish reached the point of refusing to shake hands at the awards ceremony. The conflict was hushed up, but the sediment remained.
In addition to Fourcade and Shipulin, a number of talented athletes apply for the Crystal Globe, and any of them can “shoot”. This list includes:
- Emil Hegle Svendsen;
- Arndt Peiffer;
- Johannes Be;
- Tarja Be.
In women, the struggle for the trophy will unfold serious. Several dozen athletes claim the title, but the main contenders are:
- Laura Dahlmeier (last season's winner);
- Gabriela Koukalova;
- Kaisa Mäkäräinen
- Marie Dorin Aubert.
Separately, three-time Olympic champion Daria Domracheva should be singled out, for whom the past season turned out to be crumpled due to the birth of a child. Dasha did not manage to get in the best shape, but in the upcoming competition she has every chance to take her usual place at the top of the table. Whether the Belarusian athlete will be able to compete with a whole galaxy of new stars, we will find out very soon.
Thus, the biathlon season 2017-2018 starts in November. It will be eventful, exciting and unpredictable. Don't miss the exciting races of the World Cup, the European Championship and the 2018 Olympics.
