One dismissed, playing Albion with no backs in the event (8)
I believe the answer is:
biathlon
'backs in the event' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'one dismissed playing albion with no' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'one' could be 'i' (Roman numeral) and 'i' is located in the answer.
'dismissed' could be 'b' and 'b' is located in the answer.
'playing' could be 'on' and 'on' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for biathlon that I've seen before include "Contest in two events, like cycling and running" , "Contest in two sporting disciplines, say cycling and running" , "Sport combining rifle shooting and cross-country skiing" , "Winter sport involving rifles" , "Cross-country skiing/rifle shooting sports event" .)