Championships

Olympic Games

Frequency: Every four years

Last edition: Rio 2016

Next edition: Tokyo 2020

Number of shooting sport events: 15 events in three disciplines

Athletes at the last edition: 390 athletes from 97 NOCs

Medal winners at the Olympic Games 1896 to today

Find out all the shooting sport medal winners at the Olympic Games, from 1896 until today!

Actual Shooting Events at the Olympic Games

The Olympic Programme of Shooting Sport includes 15 total events of three disciplines: Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun. Olympians compete in six men events, six women events and three mixed team events.

 

Each event consists in a qualification phase, followed by a final phase.

 

DISCIPLINES MEN’S EVENTS WOMEN’S EVENTS MIXED TEAM EVENTS TOTAL EVENTS
RIFLE 50m Rifle 3 Positions
10m Air Rifle
50m Rifle 3 Positions
10m Air Rifle
10m Air Rifle 5
PISTOL 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
10m Air Pistol
25m Pistol
10m Air Pistol
10m Air Pistol 5
SHOTGUN Trap
Skeet
Trap
Skeet
Trap 5
TOTAL 6 6 3 15

RIFLE EVENTS

50m RIFLE 3 POSITIONS MEN

The 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 50 meters or 54.68 yards in kneeling, prone and standing positions, using a 5.6 millimeters or 0.22 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 8.0 kilograms or 17.64 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 0.75 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 154.4 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 106.4 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 10.4 millimeters.

The use of specialized clothing equipment is allowed to improve stability of the shooting positions.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 40 shots in kneeling position, 40 in prone position and 40 in standing position within a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the qualification round being 1200 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 45 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points and the maximum score of the final round being 490.5 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with three series of five shots in the kneeling position: each of them has to be fired within 200 seconds, the kneeling position is followed by a changeover time of seven minutes; Three more series of five shots in the prone positions are then fired: each of them within 150 seconds; the prone position is followed by a second changeover time of nine minutes. Two series of five shots in the standing position are then fired, each of them within 250 seconds.

At the end of the second standing series the shooters with the two lowest scores are eliminated in 8th and 7th place.

The five final single shots are fired on command and within 50 seconds each. After every single shot, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 45th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

  SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATION

40 shots in prone position

40 shots in standing position

40 shots in kneeling position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a time limit of 2 hours and 45 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL ROUND Up to 45 shots: 15 in kneeling position, 15 in prone position and 15 in standing position

The kneeling positions shots are fired in five-shot series, each of them within 200 seconds

The prone positions shots are fired in five-shots series, each of them within 150 seconds

The first ten shots of the standing series is fired in five-shots series, each of them within 250 seconds

The last five shots are fired on command and within 50 seconds

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

TARGET

The target is placed 50 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

10.4 mm or about 0.41 inches

The 10th ring is far smaller then a euro-cent or a dollar-cent coin

GUN

Small bore single loaded rifle in 5.6 mm or 0.22 inches caliber

Maximum overall weight of 8 kg

The stock incorporates adjustments, including a hook type butt plate

A rest-stand can be used in standing position

SIGHTS

Only metallic sights are permitted

No optical sights are used

 

50m RIFLE 3 POSITIONS WOMEN

The 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 50 meters or 54.68 yards in kneeling, prone and standing positions, using a 5.6 millimeters or 0.22 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 6.5 kilograms or 14.33 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 0.75 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 154.4 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 106.4 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 10.4 millimeters.

The use of specialized clothing equipment is allowed to improve stability of the shooting positions.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 40 shots in the kneeling position, 40 in the prone position and 40 in the standing position within a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the qualification round being 1200 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 45 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 and the maximum score of the final round being 490.5 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with three series of five shots in the kneeling position: each of them has to be fired within 200 seconds, the kneeling position is followed by a changeover time of seven minutes; Three more series of five shots in the prone positions are then fired: each of them within 150 seconds; the prone position is followed by a second changeover time of nine minutes. Two series of five shots in the standing position are then fired, each of them within 250 seconds.

At the end of the second standing series the shooters with the two lowest scores are eliminated in 8th and 7th place.

The five final single shots are fired on command and within 50 seconds each. After every single shot, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 45th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATION

40 shots in prone position

40 shots in standing position

40 shots in kneeling position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a total time limit of 2 hour and 45 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Up to 45 shots: 15 in kneeling position, 15 in prone position and 15 in standing position

The kneeling positions shots are fired in five-shot series, each of them within 200 seconds

The prone positions shots are fired in five-shot series, each of them within150 seconds

The first ten shots of the standing series is fired in five-shot series, each of them within 250 seconds

The last five shots are fired on command and within 50 seconds

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

TARGET

The target is placed 50 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

10.4 mm or about 0.41 inches

The 10th ring is far smaller then a euro-cent or a dollar-cent coin

GUN

Small bore single loaded rifle in 5.6 mm or 0.22 inches caliber

Maximum overall weight of 6.5 kg

The stock incorporates adjustments, including a hook type butt plate

A rest-stand can be used in standing position

SIGHTS

Only metallic sights are permitted

No optical sights are used

10m AIR RIFLE MEN

The 10m Air Rifle Men is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing positions, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 5.5 kilograms or 12.13 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.40 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 45.5 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 30.5 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 0.5 millimeters.

The use of specialized clothing equipment is allowed to improve stability of the shooting positions.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots within a total of 1 hours and 15 minutes.

The qualification score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the qualification round being 654.0 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 24 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points and the maximum score of the final round being 261.6 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with two series of five shots, each of them fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 14 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 12th shot, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 8th position; the following eliminations are determined every two shots, until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 24th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATION

60 shots in standing position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters enter the final

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Up to 24 shots in standing position

Two five-shots series are fired, each of them within 150 seconds

The remaining 14 shots are fired on command, each of them within 50 seconds

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

TARGET

The target is placed 10 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

0.5 mm or about 0,02 inches

The 10th ring is far smaller then a pencil tip

GUN

 

 Single loaded air rifle in 4.5 mm or 0.177 inches caliber

Maximum overall weight of 5.5 kg

The pellet is propelled by air compressed either by an external lever or by a pre-compressed air cylinder

A rest-stand can be used

SIGHTS

Only metallic sights are permitted

No optical sights are used


10m AIR RIFLE WOMEN

The 10m Air Rifle Women is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing positions, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 5.5 kilograms or 12.13 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.40 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 45.5 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 30.5 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 0.5 millimeters.

The use of specialized clothing equipment is allowed to improve stability of the shooting positions.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots within a total of 1 hours and 15 minutes.

The qualification score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the qualification round being 654.0 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 24 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points and the maximum score of the final round being 261.6 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with two series of five shots, each of them fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 14 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 12th shot, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 8th position; the following eliminations are determined every two shots, until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 24th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATION

60 shots in standing position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters enter the final

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Up to 24 shots in standing position

Two five-shots series are fired, each of them within 150 seconds

The remaining 14 shots are fired on command, each of them within 50 seconds

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

TARGET

The target is placed 10 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

0.5 mm or about 0,02 inches

The 10th ring is far smaller then a pencil tip

GUN

Single loaded air rifle in 4.5 mm or 0.177 inches caliber

Maximum overall weight of 5.5 kg

The pellet is propelled by air compressed either by an external lever or by a pre-compressed air cylinder

A rest-stand can be used

SIGHTS

Only metallic sights are permitted

No optical sights are used


10m AIR RIFLE MIXED TEAM

 

The 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing positions, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 5.5 kilograms or 12.13 libbers.

 

The center of the target is positioned at 1.40 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 45,5 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 30,5 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 0,5 millimeters.

The use of specialized clothing equipment is allowed to improve stability of the shooting positions.

Each team is composed by two shooters: one male and one female. The score of the team is made by the sum of the two individual scores.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round each team member has to fire 40 shots each — 80 total shots per team — within a total of 50 minutes.

The qualification score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the qualification round being 872.0 points.

 

Final round: The top five teams from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 48 final shots — 24 shots per team member.

The final starts with team members firing three series of five shots each — 30 total shots per team — each series has to be fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 9 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 17th individual shot, the team with the lowest score is eliminated in 5th position; eliminations in 4th and 3rd position are determined every two individual or four team shots, while the gold and silver medalists are decided after each team fired 48 total shots.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking team to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

PISTOL EVENTS

25m RAPID FIRE PISTOL MEN

The 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 25 meters or 27.34 yards in standing position, using a 5.6 millimetres or 0.22 inches caliber pistol, with a maximum weight of 1.4 kilograms or 3.09 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.4 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 500 millimeters. The diameter of the tenth ring measures 100 millimeters.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots, divided in two identical stages of 30 shots each. The two series are divided in six five-shot series: the first and the second one has to be fired within 8 seconds, the third and the fourth within 6 seconds, the fifth and the sixth one within 4 seconds.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the final round being 600 points.

 

Final round: the top six athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 8 five-shot series.

The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final. In the final round, also, the scoring system switches from a point system to a hit-or-miss system: a score of 9.7 or higher count as a hit, a score of 9.6 or lower count as a miss.

The final starts with 4 five-shot series, each to be fired within 4 seconds. At the end of the fourth series, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 6th place. Four more five-shot series are fired before the end of the match: at the end of each one, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated, until the gold and silver medalists are decided at the end of the eighth and conclusive series.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

STAGE 1

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 8 seconds

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 6 seconds

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 4 seconds

 

QUALIFICATION

STAGE 2

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 8 seconds

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 6 seconds

Two series of five shots, each of them has to be fired within 4 seconds

 

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-six shooters enter the final

The six shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Consists of eight total series

Each finalist fires four series of five shots

From the 4th series on, after each series, the shooter with the lowest score is eliminated from the match

At the end of the 8th series the gold and silver medalists are decided

In case of ties, direct-elimination shoot-offs will be conducted

Every series of five shots must be fired in rapid sequence within a maximum of 4 seconds

Each shot is evaluated as a hit or a miss

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest number of hits wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the number of total hits scored

TARGETS

Five different targets placed 25 meters far from the shooter’s stand and 75 cm apart

 The hit-ring on the target surface corresponds to 9.7 points or better

HIT-RING DIAMETER

Corresponds to 9.7 points or better

This is the one of the two Olympic Shooting sport event using a hit-or-miss system

GUN

Rapid Fire Pistol in 5.6 mm or 0.22 inches caliber with a five-shot magazine

Maximum weight of 1400 g

Minimum triggers pull weight of 1000 g

The pistol must be capable of fitting into a box of 300x150x50 mm

The pistol grip has various restrictions on shape and dimensions and must not touch any part of the wrist

SIGHTS

Only open sights are permitted

No optical sights are used

 

25m PISTOL WOMEN

The 25m Pistol Women is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 25 meters or 27.34 yards in standing position, using a 5.6 millimeters or 0.22 inches caliber pistol with a maximum weight of 1.4 kilograms or 3.09 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.4 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 500 millimetres, the diameter of the fourth ring measures 350 millimeters, while the diameter of the tenth ring measures 50 millimeters.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots, divided in two stages of 30 shots each: a Precision Stage and a Rapid Fire Stage. In the Precision Stage athletes has to fire 6 five-shot series within 5 minutes. In the Rapid Fire Stage green lights are turned on for 3 seconds per shot, while the red lights between consecutive greens last for 7 seconds.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the final round being 600 points.

 

Final round: the top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 10 five-shot series.

The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final. In the final round, also, the scoring system switches from a point system to a hit-or-miss system: a score of 10.2 or higher count as a hit, a score of 10.1 or lower count as a miss. The highest possible score in the final is 50 hits.

The final starts with 4 five-shot series. At the end of the fourth series, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 8th place. Six more five-shot series are fired before the end of the match: at the end of each one, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated until the gold and silver medalists are decided.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

PRECISION STAGE

Six series of five shots each, fired in standing position

A time of 5 minutes is given to fire each series

Shots are fired on a precision target

QUALIFICATION

RAPID FIRE STAGE

Six series of five shots each, fired in standing position

A time of 3 seconds is given to fire each shot, with a break of 7 second between the series

Shots are fired on a rapid fire target

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters enter the final

The scores gained in the two qualification stages are added to obtain the qualification score

FINAL

Up to 10 series of five shots, all fired in standing position

A time of 3 second is given to fire each shot

Each shot is evaluated as a hit or a miss

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest number of hits wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the number of total hits score

PRECISION TARGET

Single target placed 25 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The diameter of the 10th ring measures 50 mm

RAPID FIRE TARGET

Single target placed 25 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The diameter of the 10th ring measures 100 mm

GUN

Pistol in 5.6 mm (.22 long rifle) calibre, with a five-shot magazine

Maximum weight of 1400 g

Minimum triggers pull weight of 1000 g

The pistol must be capable of fitting into a box of 300x150x50 mm

The pistol grip has various restrictions on shape and dimensions and must not touch any part of the wrist

SIGHTS

Only open sights are permitted

No optical sights are used

 

10m AIR PISTOL MEN

The 10m Air Pistol Men event is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing position, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber air pistol with a maximum weight of 1.5 kilograms or 3.31 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.4 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 155.5 millimeters, the diameter of the fourth ring measures 107.5 millimeters, while the diameter of the tenth ring measures 11.5 millimeters.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots within a total of 1 hours and 15 minutes.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the qualification round being 600 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 24 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the final round is 261.6 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with two series of five shots, each of them fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 14 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 12th shot, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 8th position; the following eliminations are determined every two shots, until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 24th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

60 shots in standing position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters enter the final

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Up to 24 shots in standing position

Shots are fired on command within a time limit of 75 seconds per shot

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

The target is placed 10 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

11,5 mm or about 0,45 inches

The 10th ring is smaller then a euro-cent or a dollar-cent coin

GUN

Single loaded pistol in 4.5 mm or 0.177 inches caliber

Maximum weight of 1500 g

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

The pellet is propelled by air either by an external level or by pre-compressed air or CO2 cylinder

SIGHTS

Only open sights are permitted

No optical sights are used

 

10m AIR PISTOL WOMEN

The 10m Air Pistol Women event is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing position, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber air pistol with a maximum weight of 1.5 kilograms or 3.31 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.4 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 155.5 millimeters, the diameter of the fourth ring measures 107.5 millimeters, while the diameter of the tenth ring measures 11.5 millimeters.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to fire 60 shots within a total of 1 hours and 15 minutes.

The qualification score is made of integer points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points and the maximum score of the qualification round being 600 points.

 

Final round: The top eight athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 24 final shots.

The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the final round is 261.6 points. The finalists start the match with zero points: no qualification score is carried into the final round.

The final starts with two series of five shots, each of them fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 14 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 12th shot, the athlete with the lowest score is eliminated in 8th position; the following eliminations are determined every two shots, until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 24th and conclusive shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking athlete to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

 

SPECIFICATION DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

60 shots in standing position

Prior to the first competition shot, any number of sighting shots may be fired

Shots are fired within a time limit of 1hour and 15 minutes

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-eight shooters enter the final

The eight shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

Up to 24 shots in standing position

Two five-shot series are fired, each of them within 250 seconds

The remaining 14 shots are fired on command, each of them within 50 seconds

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is given by the sum of all the single shots

TARGET

The target is placed 10 meters far from the shooter’s stand

The target is divided into 10 rings

10 RING DIAMETER

11.5 mm or about 0.45 inches

The 10th ring is smaller then a euro-cent or a dollar-cent coin

GUN

Single loaded pistol in 4.5 mm or 0.177 inches caliber

Maximum weight of 1500 g

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

The pellet is propelled by air either by an external level or by pre-compressed air or CO2 cylinder

SIGHTS

Only open sights are permitted

No optical sights are used



10m AIR PISTOL MIXED TEAM

The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team is an ISSF event where athletes shoot over a distance of 10 meters or 10.94 yards in standing positions, using a 4.5 millimeters or 0.177 inches caliber rifle, with a maximum weight of 5.5 kilograms or 12.13 libbers.

The center of the target is positioned at 1.4 meters above the floor and its total diameter measures 45.5 millimeters. The diameters of the fourth ring is 30.5 millimeters, while the tenth ring measures 0.5 millimeters.

Each team is composed by two shooters: one male and one female. The score of the team is made by the sum of the two individual scores.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round each team member has to fire 40 shots each — 80 total shots per team — within a total of 50 minutes.

The qualification score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10 points because of an additional set of 10 rings within the tenth circle that increase the score of 0.1 points as it approaches the center of the target. The maximum score of the qualification round being 800 points.

 

Final round: The top five teams from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot up to 48 final shots — 24 shots per team member.

The final starts with team members firing three series of five shots each — 30 total shots per team, each series has to be fired within 250 seconds; they are followed by 9 single shots fired on command and within 50 seconds. After the 17th individual shot, the team with the lowest score is eliminated in 5th position; the following eliminations are determined every two shots, until the gold and silver medalists are decided by the 48th and conclusive team shot.

If there is a tie for the lowest ranking team to be eliminated, the tie will be broken by one or more additional shoot-off shots.

SHOTGUN EVENTS

TRAP MEN

The Trap Men is an ISSF event where athletes shoot on five different stations to hit orange clay targets thrown from a trap located in front of them.

In the Trap Men event athletes shoot one by one, moving on to the following stations as soon as the following shooter fired his shot.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to shoot 125 targets, divided in five rounds of 25 targets each, usually over a span of two or three days. Also, during the qualification round shooters are grouped in squad of five or six athletes, who shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 rotating from left to right and shooting five times from every station.

The sixth athlete is positioned behind station number 1, where he waits to move into station 1 and shoot after the athlete on station number 5 has fired his shot.

During the qualification round two shots can be fired at each target.

 

Final round: The top six athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot at up to 50 targets.

Bib numbers for the final match are distributed according to the qualification ranking. Therefore, shoot-offs are used to break any tie in the qualification ranking prior to the start of the final.

During the final round the six athletes shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, rotating in the same way as in the qualification phase. After five rounds have been completed — or when every shooters fired five times from each station — the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated in 6th position. At the end of each of the three following rounds, eliminations in 5th, 4th and 3rd place are determined. There, the two remaining athletes have to fire two more complete rounds to decide the gold and silver medalist.

For elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, ties are broken according to the qualification score. To decide the gold and silver medalists, ties are broken by shoot-offs.

During the final round and the shoot-offs only one shot can be fired at each target.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

125 clays in five rounds of 25 targets

Shooters are divided in squads of 6

Two shots are permitted at each target

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-six shooters enter the final

The six shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

One round of up to 50 targets

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is the total number of target hits

TARGETS

Clay targets are about 110 mm or 4 inches in diameter, and about 25 mm or 1 inch in height

Targets are coloured in bright orange for better sighting

Targets used in final rounds also contain a powder which is more easy to see, they are called flash targets

GUN

Shotgun

12 gauge

Single trigger, over-under shotgun: one barrel above the other

Loaded with smooth bored shells with a maximum of 24.5 g of pellets



TRAP WOMEN

The Trap Women is an ISSF event where athletes shoot on five different stations to hit orange clay targets thrown from a trap located in front of them.

In the Trap Men event athletes shoot one by one, moving on to the following stations as soon as the following shooter fired her shot.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to shoot 125 targets, divided in five rounds of 25 targets each, usually over a span of two or three days. Also, during the qualification round, shooters are grouped in squad of five or six athletes, who shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 rotating from left to right and shooting five times from every station.

The sixth athlete is positioned behind station number 1, where he waits to move into station 1 and shoot after the athlete on station number 5 has fired his shot.

During the qualification round two shots can be fired at each target.

 

Final round: The top six athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot at up to 50 targets.

Bib numbers for the final match are distributed according to the qualification ranking. Therefore, shoot-offs are used to break any tie in the qualification ranking prior to the start of the final.

During the final round the six athletes shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, rotating in the same way as in the qualification phase. After five rounds have been completed — or when every shooters fired five times from each station — the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated in 6th position. At the end of each of the three following rounds, eliminations in 5th, 4th and 3rd place are determined. There, the two remaining athletes have to fire two more complete rounds to decide the gold and silver medalist.

For elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, ties are broken according to the qualification score. To decide the gold and silver medalists, ties are broken by shoot-offs.

During the final round and the shoot-offs only one shot can be fired at each target.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

125 clays in five rounds of 25 targets

Shooters are divided in squads of 6

Two shot are permitted at each target

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-six shooters enter the final

The six shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

One round of up to 50 targets

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is the total number of target hits

TARGETS

Clay target are about 110 mm or 4 inches in diameter, and about 25 mm or 1 inch in height.

Targets are coloured in bright orange for better sighting

Targets used in final rounds also contain a powder which is more easy to see, they are called flash targets

GUN

Shotgun

12 gauge

Single trigger, over-under shotgun: one barrel above the other

Loaded with smooth bored shells with a maximum of 24.5 g of pellets.



SKEET MEN

The Skeet Men is an ISSF event where athletes shoot on eight different stations to hit orange clay targets thrown from two houses located at the left and right end of the range. The house on the left is called high house, and the targets thrown from it are called mark; the house on the right is called low house, and the targets thrown from it are called pull.

In the Skeet Men event athletes shoot one by one, moving on to the following station as soon as all the six shooters fired their shots from the current one.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to shoot 125 targets, divided in five rounds of 25 targets each, usually over a span of two or three days. Also, during the qualification round, shooters are grouped in squad of five or six athletes, who shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 rotating from left to right and shooting single or double targets according to a fixed scheme.

 

Final round: The top six athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot at up to 60 targets.

Bib numbers for the final match are distributed according to the qualification ranking. Therefore, shoot-offs are used to break any tie in the qualification ranking prior to the start of the final.

During the final round the six athletes starts by shooting at two doubles from station number 3, followed by one double on station number 4, and by two more doubles on station number 5.

After all the athletes have completed two rounds, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated in 6th position. At the end of each of the following rounds, elimination in 5th, 4th and 3rd place are determined, as well as the gold and silver medalists.

For elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, ties are broken according to the qualification score. To decide the gold and silver medalists, ties are broken by shoot-offs.

 

SPECIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

125 clays in five rounds of 25 targets

Shooters are divided in squads of 6

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-six shooters enter the final

The six shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

One round of up to 60 targets

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is the total number of target hits 

TARGETS

Clay target are about 110 mm or 4 inches in diameter, and about 25 mm or 1 inch in height

Targets are coloured in bright orange for better sighting

Targets used in final rounds also contain a powder which is more easy too see, they are called flash targets

GUN

Shotgun

12 gauge

Single trigger, over-under shotgun: one barrel above the other

Loaded with smooth bored shells with a maximum of 24.5 g of pellets


SKEET WOMEN

The Skeet Women is an ISSF event where athletes shoot on eight different stations to hit orange clay targets thrown from two houses located at the left and right end of the range. The house on the left is called high house, and the targets thrown from it are called mark; the house on the right is called low house, and the targets thrown from it are called pull.

In the Skeet Women event athletes shoot one by one, moving on to the following station as soon as all the six shooters fired their shots from the current one.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to shoot 125 targets, divided in five rounds of 25 targets each, usually over a span of two or three days. Also, during the qualification round, shooters are grouped in squad of five or six athletes, who shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 rotating from left to right and shooting single or double targets according to a fixed scheme.

 

Final round: The top six athletes from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where they can shoot at up to 60 targets.

Bib numbers for the final match are distributed according to the qualification ranking. Therefore, shoot-offs are used to break any tie in the qualification ranking prior to the start of the final.

During the final round the six athletes starts by shooting at two doubles from station number 3, followed by one double on station number 4, and by two more doubles on station number 5.

After all the athletes have completed two rounds, the lowest ranking athlete is eliminated in 6th position. At the end of each of the following rounds, elimination in 5th, 4th and 3rd place are determined, as well as the gold and silver medalists.

For elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, ties are broken according to the qualification score. To decide the gold and silver medalists, ties are broken by shoot-offs.

During the final round and all the shoot-offs only one shot can be fired at each target.

 

SPECIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION

125 clays in five rounds of 25 targets

Shooters are divided in squads of 6

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE FINAL?

The top-six shooters enter the final

The six shooters with the highest qualification score enter the final

FINAL

One round of up to 60 targets

One shot is permitted at each target

WHO WINS THE MATCH?

The shooter who totalizes the highest score wins the gold

The finalists start the match from zero: no qualification score is carried into the final

The final score is the total number of target hits

TARGETS

Clay target are about 110 mm or 4 inches in diameter, and about 25 mm or 1 inch in height

Targets are coloured in bright orange for better sighting

Targets used in final rounds also contain a powder which is more easy to see, they are called flash targets

WEAPON

Shotgun

12 gauge

Single trigger, over-under shotgun: one barrel above the other

Loaded with smooth bored shells with a maximum of 24.5 g of pellets

 

TRAP MIXED TEAM

The Trap Mixed Team is an ISSF event where athletes shoot on five different stations to hit orange clay targets thrown from a trap located in front of them.

In the Trap Mixed Team event athletes shoot one by one, moving on to the following stations as soon as the following shooter fired her shot.

Each team is composed by two shooters: one male and one female. The score of the team is made by the sum of the two individual scores.

 

Qualification round: During the qualification round every athlete has to shoot 75 targets — 150 targets per team — divided in three rounds of 25 targets each. Also, during the qualification round, the couples are grouped in squad of six athletes — three team per squad — who shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 rotating from left to right and shooting five times from every station.

The sixth athlete is positioned behind station number 1, where he waits to move into station 1 and shoot after the athlete on station number 5 has fired his shot.

During the qualification round two shots can be fired at each target.

 

Final round: The top six teams from the qualification phase advance to the final match, where each team can shoot at up to 50 targets.

Bib numbers for the final match are distributed according to the qualification ranking. Therefore, shoot-offs are used to break any tie in the qualification ranking prior to the start of the final.

During the final round, teammates alternate in shooting series of five targets, in the order designated by their coach.

The athletes shoot from station number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, rotating in the same way as in the qualification phase. After five rounds have been completed — or when every team fired five times from each station — the lowest ranking team is eliminated in 6th position. At the end of each of the three following rounds, eliminations in 5th, 4th and 3rd place are determined. There, the two remaining teams have to fire two more complete rounds to decide the gold and silver medalist.

For elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, ties are broken according to the qualification score. To decide the gold and silver medalists, ties are broken by shoot-offs.

During the final round and the shoot-offs only one shot can be fired at each target.

Rules And procedures

Tie-break procedures: Ties occurring during qualification phases will be broken according to the ISSF Rules, which vary from event to event.

Ties occurring in final phases of Rifle and Pistol events will be broken by shoot-offs; ties occurring in final phases of Shotgun events will be broken according to qualification scores for elimination in 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd place, and by shoot-offs for the assignment of gold and silver medals.

 

Penalties and disqualification rules: A Shooter may make a score protest about the value of his or her shot. If this is denied, a two-point penalty is automatically imposed. Such protests are resolved by the Classification Jury using accredited techniques.

Other penalties or disqualifications take place in accordance with the ISSF Rules. The most common reason for penalties is cross-fired shots; the most common reasons for disqualification are: failure of rifle clothing being too stiff, and failure of pistol weight test.

 

Appeals and protests: In accordance with the ISSF Rules all shooting sport events have specific protest or appeal times. Official results are not published until any of these problems is resolved. For the benefit of media and spectators, preliminary results may be released for some events.

How to qualify for the Olympic Games

Since 1988 the participation in the Olympic Shooting events is not guaranteed. Each national shooting federation must earn quota places. The quota places distribution for Tokyo 2020 will start at the 52nd ISSF World Championship in all events taking place in Changwon (KOR).

 

Participation: For an athlete to take part in the Olympic Games, his or her National Federation must have earned an Olympic quota place.

 

Quota places: Quota places are generally awarded to the best placed athlete competing at the ISSF World Cup Series, ISSF World Championship and Continental Championships taking place in three years prior to the Olympic Games.

A quota place guarantees that an athlete from a given country — not necessarily the one who earned the quota place — may compete in a specific Olympic event.

On request of an NOC or an ISSF Member Federation, a quota place in one event can be traded for a quota place in any other event, if available.

 

Tripartite Commission invitation places: Athletes granted Invitation places must have achieved the Minimum Qualification Score.

 

MQS - Minimum Qualification Score: Only athletes who have attained the Minimum Qualification Score can be enlisted in one or more events of the Olympic Programme.

The MQS results can be achieved in specific qualification events held at the following competitions: ISSF World Cup Series, ISSF World Cup Final, ISSF World Championship, Continental Championships and regional competitions that have the MQS status, during the three years preceding the Olympic Games. For the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Minimum Qualification Scores have been established as it follows.

Disciplines Events for Men MQS Events for Women MQS
Rifle 50m Rifle 3 Positions
10m Air Rifle
1135
595.0
50m Rifle 3 Positions
10m Air Rifle
1115
590.0
Pistol 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
10m Air Pistol
560
563
25m Pistol
10m Air Pistol
555
550
Shotgun Trap
Skeet
112
114
Trap
Skeet
92
92


Shooting Heros at the Games

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 heroes 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 2000’s shooting sport hero is Ralf Schumann from Germany. Schumann who united discipline, accuracy and passion. In his sport , the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, he 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 still the ambitious enthusiast of today’s and tomorrows shooting sport.


The Rifle shooter Katerina Emmons (CZE) and the Pistol shooter Jin Jong Oh (KOR) bounded their named to the 2008 Olympic Games of Beijing. Katerina Emmons won the 10m Air Rifle Women event, gaining the very first Gold medal of the 2008 Olympic Games. She closed her participation in the sport festival with a double success by gaining Silver in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women event. Jin Jong Oh, a successful Korean Pistol shooter that had distinguished also at the 2004 Games, won Gold and Silver at the 50m Pistol Men and at the 10m Air Pistol Men events. The two shooters were also named "Shooter of the Year 2008" by a special commission of the AIPS, the International Association of the Sport Press.

The shooting sport 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 31 known competitors from seven nations competed in the shooting events at the first Games Athens in 1896, 462 shooters participated from 68 nations at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. In the following Games the participation was restricted by the IOC quota rule and the IOC has approved a total quota of 3400 athletes in Seoul 1988 who came from 66 nations.

At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games 390 athletes were accepted for participation, where 253 men and 157 women from 106 nations took part in 17 shooting events.

The Olympic Program changed for the 2008 Games, and the number of shooting events passed from 17 to 15. Running Target and Double Trap Women events were discontinued. In spite of the events reduction, the participation increased, and 390 shooters  coming from more then 100 countries took part in the 2008 Olympic Games of Beijing. 


 

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