ACOG - Shooting - IBM

History of Olympic Shooting

One of the long standing sports that evolved from survival whether for hunting or war, shooting has a long history. It was well organized before many sports had even begun. The first shooting club started in Switzerland in the 1400s. The sport, especially the equipment, has come a long way since then.

Despite all those years, shooting remains one of the true Olympic sports: competed by amateurs only. Shooters do not have the option of becoming professional and earn their living from their sport because shooting is more entertaining for the shooter than the spectator. Nevertheless, shooting, unlike most sports, is more than a one-time investment in equipment. After the gun, the clothing and various glasses are purchased, shooting continues to costs the shooter every time a shot is fired.

Many events were discontinued due to cost, not for the shooter, but the host country. Events such as the center-fire competition at 200 or 300 meters and six-man team competition required large ranges and equipment many nations could not obtain, while the newer events, such as those for air rifles and pistols, require small, indoor ranges that are relatively inexpensive.

With little fan power in the days before electronic targets, only the dedicated devoted the time and money to become the best. Until mixed events were discontinued, women shooters faced the toughest battle of all. Only two, in all 100 years of Olympic competition, ever medaled in shooting.

The only gold ever won by a woman went to ZHANG Shan (CHN) in the skeet event as recently as 1992. With the clay targets flying out of the houses at more than 100 miles an hour, it is no easy feat to shoot a perfect score, yet ZHANG did it in the prelims before she went on to secure the gold.

But the most dramatic story in women's shooting is of Mary MURDOCH. The first woman to win a medal in shooting, MURDOCH tied with U.S. teammate Lanny BASSHAM at Montreal in 1976. At first fans hoped they would be declared co-champions, an impossibility in the sport. When the targets were inspected a tie-breaking rule gave MURDOCH the silver. During the victory ceremony, BASSHAM pulled her up to the top step to share the honor.

This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.Written by Jennifer Knight with Spectator’s Guide information provided by U.S.A. Shooting.


Olympic Factoid
An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.