The 2016 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Final was officially opened in Rome, Italy, today.
55 athletes coming from 25 countries will compete there in the five Trap, Skeet and Double Trap Olympic events from tomorrow right to October 15th.
Only the bests are here: the top-ranked athletes, selected through this year’s ISSF World Cup stages in Nicosia, Rio de Janeiro, San Marino and Baku, were invited here to meet the Rio 2016 medalists and the title defenders. They are all aiming at the ISSF Globes, the ISSF World Cup trophies, that will be awarded to the champions of each event.
“Here we have the world’s best shooters,” the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña said at the opening ceremony, this afternoon. “I congratulate all athletes who competed in Río, and who arrived here to compete in this important event. I welcome you all to the 2016 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Final, in the beautiful city of Rome.”
“I would like to take this chance to thank the organizers, and our distinguished guests, the IOC Member Ali Syed Shahid and the Secretary General of CONI Roberto Fabbricini, for being here.”
“I wish you all a great competition!”
The ISSF Vice-President and President of the Italian Clay Shooting Federation (FIATV) Luciano Rossi welcomed the athletes and the authorities at the venue.
“We are 90-year old, but we are strong,” he said, referring to FITAV’s 90th anniversary.
“The Organizing Committee worked hard and with a lot of passion, to offer to the top athletes of the world a warm welcome and the best conditions to compete.”
“Italian shooters finished atop of Rio 2016 medal standings, we love this sport, and we are proud of having the chance to host the world in our country for this great event.”
“We are indeed particularly proud of this event,” said the CONI Secretary General Fabbricini.
“These are not easy days for the Italian sport,” he added, referring to the withdraw of Rome 2024, “but this even shows what we are capable of doing in Italy. Our shooters achieved an extraordinary result in Rio de Janeiro.”
“Shooting is the most medaled Italian Olympic team.”
The first two medal events will be held tomorrow: the Double Trap Men final will take place at 1.30 PM (UTC+2), while the Skeet Women final will follow at 3.00 PM. All finals will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org
