olympic games

shooting at the Olympic Games

In 1896, the modern Olympic Games began, through the efforts of the Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who made his life's work to resurrect the Olympic dream that had first begun in ancient Greece several centuries before the common area. In Athens, Greece the first modern Olympic Games were conducted with nine sports and the former French pistol champion, Pierre de Coubertin supported the inclusion of two big-bore rifle and three pistol events on the Olympic program.

Up until today Shooting Sport just had missed twice to be on the Olympic program. Shooting Sport competitions were not held at the 3rd Games 1904 in St. Louis, USA and at the Games 1928 in Amsterdam, NED.

The list of events has been modified at successive Games in the light of how guns have evolved, taking account also of customs and tradition. Until 1924, the Shooting program contained a multitude of events that were subsequently dropped: 31 events at all. 17 of these 31 events appeared on the program just once, and further nine appeared twice. This shows how unstable the program was at that time. After a “break” in 1928, shooting returned to the Olympics in 1932 with only two events - one for pistols and one for rifles. Since World War II the programme has become relatively standardised.

Of the events that were dropped, it is worth mentioning the 300m rifle, which was included in the program of 12 times until 1972 which had been one of the three shooting events on the program since 1896. Individual and team events were fired until 1948, when team competitions were eliminated by the ISSF- International Shooting Sport federation, former UIT - International Shooting Federation.

Women were first allowed to compete in Olympic shooting in 1968. In that year Mexico, Peru and Poland each entered one female contestant. Women have competed with the men until 1980. At the 1984 Games, women took part for the first time in a separate program consisting of three events. Between 1984 and 1992 the number of women's events increased gradually. In addition, trap and skeet events remained mixed, i.e. open to both men and women.

As of 1996 in Atlanta, the shooting programme was segregated, with men's events being separated from the women's. More recently, the double trap events for men and women were added to the Olympic programme.

Participation has crown steadily through the years. While only four nations competed in the shooting events in 1896, 462 shooters participated at the 1996 Atlanta Games. In the following Games the participation was restrited by the IOC quota rule and the IOC has approved a total quota of 390 athletes for participation at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where 253 men and 157 women from 106 nations took part in 17 shooting events.  

As for the programme of the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, the number of events has been reduced from the former 17 events to 15 events. The two events 10m Running Target Men and Double Trap Women will not be continued.  

heros in shooting

Every era has its own heroes. The passion shooters have for their sport has not changed since shooting sport was first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1896. Olympic history abounds with tales of athletes who overcame crippling adversity to win gold medals.

No discussion is needed when it comes to naming Olympic shooting’s first family. The remarkable records of Oscar and Alfred Swahn make heros for the ages. Together father Oscar and son Alfred Swahn won 15 medals at four Olympic Games. In London 1908, the Swedes dominated the running deer event and Oscar and Alfred Swahn were both members of the team. The 60-year old Oscar opened the medal hunting for the Swahn family by winning a gold and bronze medal in the individual competition and added gold together with his son in the team match. In Stockholm 1912, the home race for the Swahn family, Alfred won his first individual gold medal and both repeated their gold medal victory with the team. Also for 1920 Antwerp the Swahns were chosen to represent their country at the Games and returned “high” decorated with medals back home. Oscar was part of the team and won silver at the age of 72 years: he was the oldest medallist in the history of the Games – a record that still stands and is unlikely to be challenged. Alfred went to Paris 1924 without his father. Although Oscar had been named to the team, he was ill at the Games time and could not attend. Alfred kept up the family tradition by winning two more bronze and one silver. This was the last time Swahn appeared at the Games.

Karoly Takacs was part of Hungary's world-champion pistol-shooting team in 1939 when an army grenade exploded in his right hand. Nine years later, he won the first gold medal in rapid-fire pistol at the Olympic Games in London 1948 and won another Olympic Gold medal at the next Games in Helsinki in 1952 - after teaching himself to shoot left-handed.

In the seventies and eighties, Sweden’s Ragnar Skanaker hit his peak by winning one gold and two silver medals in the 50m Pistol event. This promising newcomer won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Munich 1972 and from then on one could not imagined the shooting sport without the presence of this Swedish athlete. In 1992 Skanaker won his last Olympic Bronze medal in Barcelona. After a break, the now seventy year old athlete has returned to his sport and is again a serious opponent amongst the international competing athletes.

The name that stands for today’s shooting sport hero is Ralf Schumann from Germany. Schumann who unites discipline, accuracy and passion in his sport has already made a name for himself by winning three Olympic Gold medals in the Rapid Fire Pistol event in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004. Despite ongoing changes in the shooting sport, which influences training and performances, Ralf Schumann is the ambitious enthusiast of today’s and tomorrows shooting sport.

description of events Olympic Games

The 15 Olympic shooting events consist of nine men’s events and six women’s events with a range of firearms and airguns. Shooters contest three different disciplines with five events for rifles, five for pistols and five for shotguns.

Disciplines	Events for Men	Events for Women	Total Events
Rifle	10 m Air Rifle 50 m Rifle 3 Positions 50m Rifle Prone	10 m Air Rifle 50 m Rifle 3 Positions	5
Pistol	10 m Air Pistol, 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol, 50 m Pistol	10 m Air Pistol 25 m Pistol	5
Shotgun	Trap Double Trap Skeet	Trap Skeet	5

Each event consists of a Qualification and Finals.

The Olympic Shooting Competition will be held from 9 Aug (Day 1) to 17 Aug (Day 9) 2008 at Beijing Olympic Shooting Centre (BSC).

rifle events

General

In the Qualifications competitors, shots are fired at a 10-ring target. The higher score is awarded when a shot touches the line between two zones. In the Finals, 8 shooters compete firing shot by shot on command. The 10 rings on the target are sub-divided into ten “decimal” score zones (10.0 to 10.9), the highest score for a shot 10.9. The Finals score is added to the Qualification score to determine the winner.

50m Rifle 3 Positions Men

The shooter fires 40 shots each in the prone, standing and kneeling positions at a target 50 meters away. Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired. The rifle is a small bore rifle(single loaded) in 5.6 mm(.22 Long Rifle) calibre with a maximum overall weight of 8 kg with a well shaped stock incorporating adjustments to suit the individual, including a hook type butt plate and in the standing position only a palm rest if desired. Only “metallic” sights are permitted-see rifle sights. The centre ten, which is as large as a "Dime" coin, must be hit at a distance of 50 meters within a time limit of 45 minutes in the prone position, 75 minutes in the standing position and 60 minutes in the kneeling position.

The best eight shooters from this opening program are qualified for the final. The final consists of 10 shots in the standing position with a time limit of 75 seconds per shot. Each shot is evaluated in decimal tenths and added to the score of the opening program.

50m Rifle Prone Men

Sixty shots are fired in the prone position. Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired. The competition time, including the sighting shots, is 75 minutes. The distance of the target, the size of its centre and the rifle correspond to the 50m rifle 3 positions match.

In the final, 10 shots are fired with a time limit of 45 seconds per shot in the "prone" position. The decimal score is added to the opening score to determine the winner.

50m Rifle 3 Positions Women

20 shots are fired in the prone, standing and kneeling positions. The time limit for all three positions, including the sighting shots, is 135 minutes. A small bore rifle as for the men but with a maximum weight limit of 6.5 kg. The shots are once again fired at the target's centre, which is the size of a "Dime" coin, at a distance of 50 meters.

In the final, the best eight shooters fire 10 shots in the standing position with a time limit of 75 seconds per shot, and the score is evaluated in tenths. The final score is then added to the opening score to determine the total result.

10m Air Rifle Men and Women

Air Rifles are 4.5mm (.177”) with a maximum weight of 5.5 kg from which the pellet is propelled by air compressed either by an external lever or by a pre-compressed air cylinder. The stock is shaped for comfort but this together with the rifle and sights have many restrictions regarding dimensions under the rules. Only “metallic” sights are permitted-see rifle sights. In the main competition, only the entire rings are counted. The men complete 60 shots in 105 minutes with any number of sighting shots before the first competition shot is fired. The women complete 40 shots within a maximum of 75 minutes, including the sighting shots. The shots are fired in the standing position at a very thin, "pinhead" centre of exactly 0.5 mm at a distance of 10 meters.

In the following final, each of the eight finalists only has 75 seconds to fire each of his 10 final shots. The points achieved are subdivided into tenths. A shot that hits directly in the centre of the ten counts as a 10.9, whereas a shot just barely is touching the centre counts as 10.0. The results from the normal program and the final are added together.

pistol events

General

Pistol events are scored in the same way as the rifle events, with competitors aiming at a 10-ring target for Precision Events or Stages, and aiming at a larger 10-ring target with only the five highest scoring rings for Rapid Fire Events or Stages. Pistol shooters use a standing position and must hold and fire the gun with one hand, unsupported. In the Finals for Precision Events, eight shooters compete, firing shot by shot on command. For the 25 m Pistol Women eight shooters compete in the Finals, but for 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men there are only six.

50m Pistol Men

Within a maximum of 120 minutes, any numbers of sighting shots plus 60 competition shots are fired at a target 50 meters away. A small bore pistol in 5.6mm (.22”) calibre loaded with one cartridge only and with no restrictions on weight, barrel length or trigger pull weight is permitted in the competition. A well fitting grip is used but this must not go beyond the hand or touch any part of the wrist. Only “open” sights are permitted – see pistol sights. The centre of the target is 50 mm in size, and the gun must be fired, single-handed, in the standing position.

In the following final, 10 shots must be completed within a maximum of 75 seconds per shot. Here again, the score is evaluated in tenths and added to the qualification score.

25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men

This program consists of two stages of 30 shots each. Each stage consists of two series of five shots in eight, six and four seconds. A series of five shots is fired, one shot at each of five targets, 75 cm apart at a distance of 25 m. The match is started with the shooter’s arm at an angle of 45 degrees, known as the “Ready” position. The pistol used is of 5.6mm (.22 Long Rifle) caliber capable of firing five shots. A maximum weight of 1400 grams is specified and minimum triggers pull weight of 1000 grams. The pistol grip has various restrictions on shape and dimensions and must not touch any part of the wrist. The pistol must be capable of fitting into a box of 300 x 150 x 50 mm with a tolerance of 1.0 mm in each direction. Only “open” sights are permitted- see pistol sights.

In the Final of the six best shooters, four series of five shots each must again be completed, each in four seconds. The shots are evaluated in decimal tenths. The scores from the “Qualification program” and the Final are added together to determine the winners.

25m Pistol Women

The program consists of a combination of 30 precision shots and 30 rapid-fire shots, at a distance of 25 meters. The center of the target is 50 mm in diameter for the precision stage. Six series of five shots each must be completed, each series in five minutes. In the rapid fire stage the target has a center of 100 mm and six series of five shots each must be completed with three seconds allowed for each shot with a break of seven seconds in between. The pistol used is of 5.6 mm (.22 Long Rifle) caliber capable of firing five shots. A maximum weight of 1400 grams is specified and minimum triggers pull weight of 1000 grams. The pistol grip has various restrictions on shape and dimensions and must not touch any part of the wrist. The pistol must be capable of fitting into a box 300 x 150 x 50 mm with a tolerance of 1.0 mm in each direction. Only “open” sights are permitted –see pistol sights.

In the Final of the eight best shooters, four series of five shots each are completed in the rapid fire stage. The shots are evaluated in decimal tenths. The scores of the “Qualification program” and the Final are added together to determine the winners.

10m Air Pistol Men and Women

Air Pistols are 4.5mm (.177”) with a maximum weight of 1500 g from which the pellet is propelled by air either by an external level or by pre-compressed air or CO2 cylinder. The trigger pull must be a minimum of 500 g. The pistol grip must not go past the hand nor touch any part of the wrist, and has other restrictions on shape and dimensions and the pistol must be capable of fitting into a box of 420 x 200x 50mm. Only “open” sights are permitted – see pistol sights. The match is shot, single-handed, in the standing position at a distance of 10 meters, and the centre of the target is 11.5 mm in diameter. The time limit for men with any number of sighting shots and the 60 competition shots is 105 minutes. For women, 40 shots must be fired within 75 minutes.

The final of the best eight consists of 10 shots within 75 seconds per shot, and the score is evaluated in tenths. The final result is added to the score of the qualification program.

shotgun events

There are 3 - Trap, Double Trap and Skeet.The shooters stand on designated shooting stations to shoot at clay targets which are released on or after the shooter’s command.A “HIT” is declared when the target is shot at according to the rules and at least 1 visible piece is seen by the Referee to fall from it.The shooter who hits the most targets (qualification rounds + Final) wins.  

Shotguns and Cartridges

Shotguns differ from rifle and pistols in that they are smooth bored rather than “rifled” and fire a number of pellets rather than a single projectile. The maximum effective range for clay target shooting is considered to be about 50m.

“Clay” Targets

The modern flying saucer shaped targets which are now shot in competitions are not now made of clay but of pitch and chalk. They are approximately 110mm x 25mm (4” x 1”); most are colored for better sighting and the targets used in Finals rounds also contain a powder which is more easily seen by spectators and on television when the target is hit.

Target Launching Machines

These are called “traps”. They are sophisticated automatic machines that are capable of throwing a clay target the trajectories and distances required for each event.The target is released from the trap via a microphone system that responds to the call of the shooter.

The Olympic Games Shotgun Shooting Program

Trap Men and Women

The Trap event is considered to be shotgun’s “long range” contest.
The double barrelled guns weigh about 4 kg (9 lbs.), have barrel lengths anything up to 80cm (32 inches) and most have a single trigger which permits the firing of two shots extremely rapidly. The gun barrels are designed to give a fairly tight pellet pattern (spread) at the distance at which these targets are normally shot (30 ~ 50 m).The Trap range has an underground pit with 15 trap machines in a straight line below ground level, set to throw targets at various heights, angles and speeds, away from the shooter. These 15 machines are divided into 5 groups of 3 and “a group” is sited

The shooters shoot from 5 designated shooting stations (1~5) arranged in a straight line, 15m back from the front edge of the pit roof and about 3m apart.
In front of each shooting station is a “group” of 3 trap machines, and there are 5 such “groups” and it is from one of these machines in that group that shooter will receive a target. All the traps are set to deliver clay targets at differing heights (1.5m ~ 3.5m at 10m forward of the front of the pit roof), angles (0 ~ 45 degrees both left and right) and speeds (90km/h~110km/h). The shooter does not know, from what trap in the group in front, will operate; although it is arranged that all shooters receive the same number of targets from each machine at during the round.
The shooters fire at 1 clay target (2 shots are permitted) before moving to the next station after the shooter on that station has also fired. Competitors move through a series of five adjacent shooting stations. At each station, competitors load, mount their guns, call for the target and fire up to two shots per target. The targets, 110mm or four-inch clay discs, are thrown from an underground bunker a minimum distance of 75 meters and at speeds of up to 105 km/h or 65 miles per hour. The men's match consists of 125 targets, shot in five rounds of 25 over two days. Three rounds are fired on day one; two rounds plus the final are shot on day two. The women's match consists of 75 targets, shot in three rounds on one day plus final.
After the qualification round of 125 targets for men or 75 targets for women, the top six competitors advance to a 25 targets final round. The medals are awarded based on aggregate (qualification and final) scores.
As each target is released, the shooter is allowed two shots.

Skeet Men and Women

The “short range” event.

Guns mostly weigh about 3 kg which is less than those used for Trap and Double Trap and usually have shorter barrels. Because of the very varied distances at which targets are shot, (from 4m up to a maximum of about 30m) the guns are regulated to shoot a more open pattern, but when used with a cartridge loaded with very small pellets (2mm dia ) still gives a pattern which is efficiently capable of breaking the targets.

In the skeet event, the 2 targets are released from separate trap houses (“high” and “low” ) situated at each end of an arc of a circle of about 40 m diameter.

The course of fire consists of both “singles” and “doubles”.

A "single" target is one thrown from either trap house. A "double" consists of two targets thrown simultaneously, one from each trap house.

Competitors move round this semi-circular arc which has 8 fixed shooting stations at intervals. At each station, “singles” and/or “doubles” are thrown according to the required course of fire.

The high house target emerges 3.05 meters above the ground, the low house target 1.05 meters above the ground. Each is set to travel a distance of 65-67m. The 110mm (4 inch) targets travel at up to 88 km/h or 55 miles per hour and competitors may fire only 1 shot per target.

Competitors must also hold the tip of their shotgun stock on or below an official marker tape, which is fixed at elbow level, until the target appears. The interval after the shooter’s call can vary randomly from 0-3 seconds.

The men's match consists of 125 targets, shot in five rounds of 25 over two days. Three rounds are fired on day one; two rounds plus the final are shot on day two. The women's match consists of 75 targets, shot in three rounds on one day plus final.

After the qualification round of 125 targets for men or 75 targets for women, the top six competitors advance to a 25 target final round.

The medals are awarded based on aggregate (qualification and final) scores.

Double Trap Men

A “medium range” event.

Guns used are similar to those used in Trap but have a slightly more pellet spread because the targets shot are shot at when only some 25 ~ 40m from the shooter.

After a shooter’s command, 2 targets (the “double”) are released simultaneously within a period of 0 ~ 1 second. The 2 targets travel at different heights and angles and emerge from the centre bank of trap machines. The shooter fires one shot at each target and requires extremely rapid reactions.

The shooters fire at 1 “double” before moving to the next station after the shooter on that station has also fired. Competitors move through a series of five adjacent shooting stations. At each station, competitors load, mount their guns, call for the targets.

The targets, 110mm or four-inch clay discs, are set to be thrown from the underground bunker a distance of 55 meters and at speeds of about 80 km/h or 50 miles per hour. The men's match consists of 3 qualification rounds (150 targets) plus a Final (50 targets), all shot in 1 day.

The top six competitors only advance to the final round.

Medals are awarded based on aggregate (qualification + final) scores.

general principles

Only athletes who have attained the minimum qualification scores (MQS) can be entered in one or more events on the Olympic shooting program. Minimum Qualification Scores can only be obtained in eliminations and in qualification events at ISSF World Championships, at the Continental Championships and in ISSF designated Qualification Competitions (e.g. ISSF World Cups Art. Q.12.1). MQS and quota places, Art. Q.5.2, are awarded during the four (4) years between the Olympic Games. See ISSF Rules Article 3.12.3.1, Annex "Q" Special Regulations for the Participation in the Shooting Sport Events of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008

The "minimum qualification scores (MQS)" have been established as follows:

Rifle Discipline:

Pistol Discipline:

Shotgun Discipline:

how to qualify

Since 1988 the Participation in the Olympic Shooting events is not guaranteed. Each national shooting federation must earn "Quota Places”.

Quota Places are generally awarded when an athlete wins a gold medal at the ISSF World Cups or posts a top finish at the World Championships or Continental Championships - Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania - in the last two years before the Olympics.

One shooter can obtain only one quota place for his country (NOC) in any event for the Olympic Games. A quota places guarantees that someone from a given country - not necessarily the athlete who earned it - will be competing in that Olympic event. Each nation can earn a maximum of 28 quota places: one each in trap and skeet women, and two each in all other events.

For the host country of the 2008 Olympics, there are reserved 9 quota places for China in the 15 events.

The "Tripartite Invitation Places" (10) enable the Tripartite Commission to grant the right for participation to one shooter from a country (NOC) which has not obtained a quota place (starting position) for participation in the Olympic Games according to the new quota system, if it would be in the interest of the IOC/NOC/ISSF that at least one (1) shooter could represent this country in the shooting events of the Olympic Games. This decision is based on consideration of the overall size of the delegation of that country including entries in other sports. Applications for "Invitation Places" from NOCs (ISSF Member Federations) will be received by a tripartite commission, composed of the IOC, NOCs and ISSF, for high level athletes who have minimum qualification scores, but who belong to NOCs with no or only few quota places and which are entering few competitors in other sports. The final decision regarding the technical level of the athletes for the allocation of these "Invitation Places" will rest with the ISSF.

The Special "Universality Places" (14) for hardship cases are granted by the ISSF on request of the IOC, or a NOC, or a Member Federation of the ISSF to a country which has a shooter without a quota place, but who has obtained an outstanding result in one of the Olympic Shooting Events in an official qualification competition.

The total number of athletes who may compete in the sport of shooting is 390, compromising 243 men and 139 women.

Quota places in details 2005 to 2008 :

Each athlete, who has been entered in one event in a quota place by his country, can be entered as a "double starter" in other events if the athlete has also shot the MQS in the other events. If an NOC enters one (1) athlete as a double starter in any event in which it has also obtained the possible number of quota place(s), those quota place(s) will automatically be returned to the ISSF/IOC to be granted as an additional quota place. On request of an NOC/ISSF Member Federation one (1) quota place in one event can be changed for one (1) quota place in any other event if available.

changes since Athens 2004 Olympic Games

For the Beijing 2008 Games there is no event from the Running Target discipline. There is no Double Trap Women event. The 25 m Rapid Pistol Men Finals and the 25 m Pistol Women Finals will be shot as 4 series of 5 shots. In the 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Finals the series will each be in four seconds. In the 25m Pistol Women Finals the series will each be in the rapid fire manner in 3 seconds exposure. In the Trap Finals shooters fire just single shot per target.