Shooting is a test of accuracy and control, in which athletes use pistols or rifles to fire at static targets.
Having been practised competitively for centuries, the tough and demanding sport of Shooting is now popular all over the world. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the 12 events are being held in the historic surroundings of The Royal Artillery Barracks, the perfect setting for a sport that should offer plenty of drama and tension across eight days of competition.
Thursday 30 August – Thursday 6 September
12 – across men’s, women’s and mixed Rifle and Pistol events.
There are eight Rifle events: the men’s and women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing (SH1), the men’s and women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (SH1), the mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone (SH1 and SH2), the mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing (SH2) and the mixed 50m Free Rifle Prone (SH1).
There are four Pistol events: the men’s and women’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1), mixed 25m Pistol (SH1) and mixed 50m Pistol (SH1).
140: 100 men and 40 women
Each country is limited to three athletes in each event, with a total of five athletes across all events.
SH1 – athletes who can support the weight of their firearm themselves
SH2 – athletes who use a shooting stand for support
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Athletes shoot at stationary targets in a range, shooting from a distance of 10m, 25m and 50m.
Shooting has been part of the Paralympic Games since Toronto 1976, when three events were held. At one point, the number of events expanded to as many as 29, but since the Sydney 2000 Games a standard 12 events have been included.
Shooting features Rifle and Pistol events. In both events, competitors aim at a 10-ringed target from a set distance and, depending on the event, athletes are required to shoot from standing, kneeling or prone positions.
Shooters fire at paper targets containing concentric scoring rings. In the qualification rounds, each ring is worth points from one to 10, with one point as the outer ring and 10 at the centre.
In the final, the outside ring is worth 10 points and the centre is worth 10.9 points.
For a complete set of rules, please refer to the website of International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting, governing body for the sport.
A range officer is responsible for safety at the event. Athletes must obey their command to load, unload, start and stop shooting. An athlete who touches their firearm after the stop command has been given may be penalised.
A jury is present at all events to ensure that shooters are staying within the rules and to deal with any appeals.
Shooting is a tense and testing sport that requires immense reserves of skill and nerve. The winning shooter will remain cool under the enormous pressure that a Paralympic competition brings. Athletes who waver in nerve or concentration will finish with lower scores.
Pistol – one of two firearms used in Shooting, shot with one hand.
Shoot-off – a tiebreaker.
Three positions – Rifle events in which competitors shoot in standing, kneeling and prone positions.
If you want to find out about Shooting in your country, including clubs, facilities and coaching schemes, check the website of your National Governing Body for Shooting. To find out how you can get involved in Shooting in the UK, go to thegamesandbeyond.com
For more information on the Shooting competition at London 2012 and the rules of the sport, go to the website of International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting, governing body for the sport.
