The 51st ISSF World Championship in all Shooting events officially kicked off in Granada, Spain, as the Opening Ceremony took place last night, Sunday, September 7, at the Teatro del Generalife of the Alhambra.
Over 2000 athletes coming from 94 countries are participating in the competition, held at the CEAR de Tiro Olimpico Juan Carlos I in Las Gabias, Granada, from the 7th through the 20th of September.
The World Championship, the ISSF largest competition, takes place every four years (last: Munich, Germany, 2010; next: Changwon, Korea, 2018), and features 15 Olympic shooting events and 39 non-Olympic events including junior events.
64 Olympic quota places will be awarded during the the 51st ISSF World Championship, which is indeed the first Shooting sport qualifier for Rio 2016.
The best shooting sport athletes of the world are here. Olympic and Continental Champions, title defenders, World Cup heroes, senior experts and YOG medallists: they are all competing to become the new World Champions and to secure a ticket to Brazil.
“The ISSF is sure that participants from all over the world will find the ideal conditions for competing and to enjoy this extraordinary event here in Granada” The ISSF President, Olegario Vazquez Raña said at yesterday's opening ceremony.
For the first time in the history of the ISSF, Junior finals will be staged during this World Championship.
“Junior finals are a new feature of our Championship, that will increase the popularity of Shooting sport worldwide for the new generations.” The ISSF President said.
The first medals and quota places will be awarded at today's 10m Air Rifle Men final, at 1.30 PM (Spanish time).
Live TV footage will be broadcasted via Eurovision and on the ISSF YouTube channel.
You can find live updates on the event on the ISSF website, Facebook page and Twitter profile; the same goes for the Organizing Committee, the Royal Spanish Shooting Federation (website, Facebook, Twitter). To find out even more and join the conversation, use the hashtag #GranWCH14.