There are lots of countries that get a lot of snow. So why is it only Norway thought that combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting was a good idea?
Naturally, Norway has dominated the sport of Biathlon, not only because Norway invented it, but because for decades after its inception, no one else in the world thought, "Hey, why not shoot at targets with a rifle while I'm in a ski race!?"
Biathlon is 150 years old this year. The other insane ski-related sport, ski-jumping, was also invented in Norway. It's over 200 years old. Yes, back when ski jumping first became popular with Norwegians, the skis that they used were literally two flat sticks with leather straps.
I suppose you could argue that the tenacious Norwegians made the best of their long winter months and rugged land.
Or that they are crazy.
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