ANTERSELVA, Italy — ANTERSELVA, Italy (AP) — Biathlon, which combines rifle shooting and cross-country skiing, developed out of Scandinavian military training exercises. So it’s not surprising that many of the biathletes competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have military or law enforcement careers that help them fine-tune their skills, support them while competing and ensure a job when they hang up their skis.Three members of the U.S. biathlon team are with the Vermont National Guard: Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin, Spc. Sean Doherty and Spc. Maxime Germain. Irwin and Doherty are also members of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete program. Doherty is stationed at northern Vermont’s Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, where 11,000 acres are home to the Army Mountain Warfare School, the 86th Mountain Infantry brigade combat team and a dedicated biathlon training course and rifle range, said Micah Nevard, director of the U.S. Army’s National Guard Biathlon program.Doherty said he has trained there since he started the sport.“As my career in the sport progressed, I realized the support and benefits of the National Guard would extend my career and provide resources and support independent of the national team, as well as support and opportunities after my athletic career ended,” he told The Associated Press.The discipline needed to be a professional athlete fits well with the structure needed to be a soldier with the Army, he said.“I would also say that the military provides a counterpoint to the small world of elite sport — getting you out of your comfort zone a bit,” he said. “It is a powerful thing knowing you have so much support behind you, and support that goes beyond just your racing career, allows you to commit fully to performing at your best.”It’s not just an American thing. Gold medalists Lou Jeanmonnot and Éric Perrot both hold the rank of sergeant with the French Army. Lisa Vittozzi, who secured Italy’s first Olympic gold medal in the sport by winning the pursuit on Sunday, is a member of the Italian Army sports group Centro Sportivo Esercito. Italy …
