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2008 Olympics>Previews
UPDATED: August-7-2008  
Shooting
 

Origin

Shooting originated as a means of survival, as it was practised in order to hunt game for food. In the 19th century, however, as the industrial revolution made hunting for food less necessary for many people, shooting evolved into a sport. The sport was first popular in English-speaking countries, notably England and the United States, as well as Ireland and South Africa. The National Rifle Association (USA) was formed in 1871 and provided the impetus for the development of shooting as an organised form of sport in the United States.

Shooting has been contested at most of the Olympic Games. The sport first appeared in 1896. There were also events in 1900, but none were contested during the 1904 and 1928 Games.

The programme has varied just as much as any of the other sports (with the possible exception of sailing/yachting). In 1908, 1912, 1920 and 1924 there were dozens of events, including multiple team events. Thus it was possible for shooters to win many medals at these Olympics. After a hiatus in 1928, the sport 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.

Women were first allowed to compete in Olympic shooting in 1968. In that year Mexico, Peru and Poland each entered one female contestant. In 1984 the International Shooting Union (UIT) now called the ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation introduced separate events for women. Between 1984 and 1992 the number of women's events increased gradually. In addition, several of the events on the programme 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.

(BOCOG)

Preview for Team China

Early in March, the Chinese national shooting team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was decided. Wang Yifu, who had participated in six previous Olympics and secured two gold medals, will make his debut as the head coach of the shooting brigade.

The team includes 2004 Athens Olympic champions Du Li, Jia Zhanbo and Zhu Qinan, and the former two are to participate in two contests.

The world-class shooters have Olympic experience in Tan Zongliang, Ren Jie, Chen Ying, Zhang Penghui, Zhao Yinghui, Wei Ning and Hu Bingyuan. The team also includes Guo Wenjun (female pistol), and Pang Wei and Lin Zhongzai (male pistol), and Liu Yingzi (women's trap).

Among the 15 events in terms of shooting, the Chinese team is equipped with a competitive edge in 12 of them. They are expected to bag four gold medals, similar to what they acquired in the 2004 Athens Games, as long as they are able to maintain a calm approach, and cope with the pressure of the home soil.

(Source: Xinhua)


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