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Shooting is a sport in which concentration and technique must both be mastered before an athlete can enjoy success. It is more a test of nerves and mental focus than physical strength.

At any level of competition, safety is the primary concern when shooting; for more information on how to become involved in shooting visit http://sfc.ncf.ca.

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There are 6 total shotgun events - 3 for men and 3 for women. The targets in these events are commonly referred to as “clay pigeons” and resemble a discus in size and shape.

There are 5 total rifle events - 3 for men and 2 for women. There is a multi-discipline men’s and women’s competition in which shots are fired from the prone (lying), kneeling and standing positions at stationary targets 50 metres away. There is also a men’s and women’s event where competitors stand and fire at a target 10 metres away.

The targets are made up of 10 rings, with the smallest, centre target (the bulls-eye) worth 10 points, the second smallest ring worth 9 points, and so on. The final event requires male competitors to take 60 shots, from the prone position, at targets 50 metres away. 60 Shots… now that’s some serious shooting!

As with rifle, there are 5 total pistol events - 3 for men and 2 for women. There are men’s and women’s competitions over 10 and 25 metres, as well as a 50 metre event in which only men participate.

There is only 1 running target event and it is without a women’s division. Competitors use rifles to fire at moving targets 10 metres away.

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Shooting truly is a sport for anyone of any age.

The international popularity of shooting is evidenced by the almost 6-fold increase in the number of events between the first Olympic Games of 1896 and Athens 2004.

The Olympic program now includes 17 events that are divided into the following 4 disciplines: shotgun, rifle, pistol and running target. The various targets in all events have point values, and the winner of any shooting event is the competitor with the highest point total.

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