Shooting

1.1 Origin and Growth

It was recorded that shooting originated from hunting and military affairs. An arquebus competition was held in Switzerland in the 15th century. Five hundred years ago, the running deer shooting activities arose in Scandinavia. European countries held sports meetings for the shooting of live pigeons in the early 19th century. These were the precursors of modern shooting.

Before the first Olympic Games in 1896, shooting associations were founded in some European countries and shooting competitions were held. The first World Shooting Championships were organized in 1897. In 1907, representatives from eight national federations created the International Shooting Sports Union, known today as the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF).

1.2 Olympic History

In modern Olympic history, on only two occasions was the sport not included in the Olympic Games Programme,in the Saint Louis 1904 Games and in the Amsterdam 1928 Games. Only 5 events were held in the first Olympic Games of modern times in Athens in 1896 and it increased to 21 events in the 7th Olympic Games in 1920. It was the only time that the most shooting disciplines were included in an Olympic Games until now. In 2008, 15 shooting events will be held.

In 1968, women were allowed to take part in the sport for the first time. But women's disciplines were not set up and they competed with men in the same events. In the 1984 Games, women’s shooting disciplines were introduced as separate competitions in the Olympic programme. In 1996, the men’s and women’s events were separated.

Countries with a tradition in shooting are China, USA, Russia, Germany, Great Britain and so on. Chinese shooters have been in a dominant position in recent Olympic Games. They have won 14 gold medals in previous Olympic Games. It is interesting to note that Xu Haifeng, a Chinese shooter, won a medal at the 23rd Olympic Games in 1984, which was the first medal in China's Olympic history.