BICULTURAL EXPERIENCE FOR BIATHLETES

U.S. biathletes--the biathlon combines cross-country skiing with target shooting--are getting a good taste of Japanese culture.

Instead of staying in the athletes’ village in Nagano, they are at a small hotel in Nozawa Onsen, site of biathlon competition and one of the venues farthest from Nagano.

The athletes are sleeping on straw mats on the floor--that should do wonders for their shooting eyes--leaving their shoes at the door of the hotel, and bathing in a communal tub.

“We are getting the best of both worlds, the Olympic experience mixed with the Japanese experience,” assistant coach Tim Derrick said.