13. Military Patrol
Military patrol, a precursor to the modern biathlon, was contested in the Winter Olympics from 1924 to 1948. Teams of four, including an officer and three soldiers, navigated cross-country skiing courses ranging from 20 to 30 kilometers, incorporating rifle shooting at targets. The event was held as a medal competition in 1924 and as a demonstration sport in 1928, 1936, and 1948. Its team format and military origins eventually led to the development of the biathlon, which debuted in the 1960 Olympics. (olympics.com)
