Unknown - Deidre Irwin

The biathlon events will take place in Antolz-Antreselva, near the border with Austria.

Deidre Irwin, America's top female biathlete, says the U.S.

has an advantage here.

Irwin is among many U.S.

winter athletes who regularly train and compete in the mountains of northern Italy.

The cross-country skiing stadium in Val di Fiamme is an annual stop on the racing circuit.

Many of the sites in Cortina harken back to the 1956 winter games there, such as the Olimpia della Tofane, an iconic run for women's alpine skiing.

Ping Huang, NPR News, Milan.