The preparation for shooting sports involves both mental and physical preparation. It requires a steady hand and steely nerves to excel. Most Olympic athletes put in the necessary time and effort to improve their skills. However, shooting is also a fun and accessible sport for everyone. It is not uncommon for teenagers to compete against older individuals in local tournaments.
The history of the Olympic Games dates back to 1896 when the first games were held in Athens. Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France advocated for the inclusion of shooting events at the Olympic Games, especially as he was a former French pistol champion.
The third Olympic Games were held in 1904 in St. Louis. The events evolved due to the changes in firearms and conventions.
Until 1924, the shooting program featured 31 events, 17 of which were eventually eliminated. This demonstrates the program’s instability during that period. In 1932, the sport was reinstated after a break. The only events featured in the Olympics were rifles and pistols.
After World War II, the program became a bit more uniform. In 1968, women were allowed to compete in Olympic shooting for the first time. Some countries, such as Peru, Mexico, and Poland, sent female athletes.
Rules of the Sport
In order to reduce the risk of getting injured during competition, the ISSF allows athletes to wear elbow and knee pads. The protective equipment also has a thicker layer of padding over the shoulder to help minimize the impact of the rifle.
Also, in order to improve an athlete’s focus and reduce their peripheral vision, they can use blinders. In rifle shooting events, the target is placed on a wall, and the points are calculated according to the distance the bullet goes to the center of the circle.
The pistol events are conducted at an indoor shooting range. There are three distances that are used. During the qualifying round, the participants shoot 60 shots.
Each participant shoots 60 bullets during the qualifying rounds. The top eight individuals from each round advance to the final. Only two individuals will be able to compete for the gold medal in the event. The 50m rifle shooting event is conducted from the prone, kneeling, and standing positions.
The finals of the pistol events follow the same format as the rifle competition. The 25m category features a distinct structure. During the qualification rounds, the participants fire six sets of five shots each in rapid succession.
Unlike rifle shooting, which is mainly conducted inside a shooting range, shotgun events are held outside. Since the targets are placed outside, the weather can affect the competition. In the trap event, the target is placed on a moving clay disc. Each participant is required to shoot two shots at the target. Since the target is placed on a moving clay disc, it’s not known how the disc will be launched or its angle or direction.