Britain is sending two biathlon athletes to Sochi 2014, Lee Jackson and Amanda Lightfoot. The pair are not expected to medal but finishing in the top half will be seen as a successful Olympics. The biathlon consists of 11 events, where the biathlete race between six and 20km, stopping at designated shooting ranges either two or four times. If they miss the target in the individual events they suffer a one minute time penalty, or in other events, a 150m penalty loop.

This will be Lee Jackson’s second successive Olympic Games, and Amanda Lightfoot’s Olympic debut. Jackson said “I am delighted to have been selected. Having missed out on selection for the Turin Winter Olympics, Vancouver taught me how to deal with the pressure in the build-up to the Games and I feel better prepared now”. Lightfoot simply said “I’m overwhelmed”, which is fair enough seeing she is only the second British female biathlete to compete in the Winter Games.

Both athletes learnt their sport while serving in the British army. The British biathlon team was under threat because of armed forces cuts, but a new deal with a Birmingham healthcare supplier, worth £250,000 over four years, has guaranteed the future of the British biathlon beyond Sochi 2014.

Name: Lee Jackson
Age: 33 Event: Biathlon
Born: Stockton-on-Tees

Lee’s achievements to date include one Olympic Games, seven World Championships, three times British Olympic Athlete of the Year and participation in three European Championships. His best Biathlon result in World cup is 16th, achieved in two men’s relay events. His best individual finish was in 2010/11 when he finished 49th. Lee was the only Team GB Biathlon representative in Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and looks to build on the experience ahead of Sochi 2014.

Name: Amanda Lightfoot
Age: 26
Event: Biathlon
Born: Coventry

Amanda only started skiing in 2006 through the military and will become only the second British female biathlon athlete to compete at an Olympic Winter Games. Amanda trains mainly in Norway, and will be making her Olympic debut at Sochi. She has been a member of the British Biathlon team for five years, and has competed at European and World Cup levels.