I would certainly consider biathlon to be athletic sport. And not even easy one combining relatively demanding skiing with needed precision for shooting after such activity. Harder than it looks.

If I had too much money I have dreamed of pentathlon that is combining triathlon and biathlon. Running, biking, swimming, skiing and shooting for true ultra sport.

>these people

You don't consider biathletes to be athletes? Seriously?

I can only assume that OP is unaware that the biathlon combines high endurance cross-country skiing with target shooting.

It seems to me that biathlon is one of the few sports that has truly deep and historic roots with the human condition. Obviously ancient hunters weren’t using rifles, but the concept of long endurance (tracking a wild animal) followed by the need to be calm, quiet and precise (eg with spears, bows and arrows, etc) seems fundamental to the required skills of an ancient hunter.

You're right, I had no idea about this sport.

In my defence I did bring up chess as well, and I do believe there is a shooting event in the summer Olympics so my query still stands.

> these people

??? What do you mean?