| Host city | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria |
|---|---|
| Country | West Germany |
| Events | 2 |
| Opening | 4 February 1966 |
| Closing | 6 February 1966 |
The 7th Biathlon World Championships were held in 1966 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the then West Germany. [1] The men's relay event was given official recognition.
| Medal | Name | Nation | Penalties | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jon Istad |  NOR | 4 | 1:38:21.8 |
 | Józef Gąsienica Sobczak |  POL | 4 | 1:39:53.6 |
 | Vladimir Gundartsev |  URS | 1 | 1:39:53.6 |
| Medal | Name | Nation | Penalties | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | NOR | ||
| Poland Józef Gąsienica Sobczak | POL | ||
| Sweden |  SWE |
| Place | Nation | | | | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | Poland | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Soviet Union | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Sweden | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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The first Biathlon World Championships (BWCH) was held in 1958, with individual and team contests for men. The number of events has grown significantly over the years. Beginning in 1984, women biathletes had their own World Championships, and finally, from 1989, both genders have been participating in joint Biathlon World Championships. In 1978 the development was enhanced by the change from the large army rifle calibre to a small bore rifle, while the range to the target was reduced from 150 to 50 meters.
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