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What is the history of archery in the Olympics and how has it influenced the sport?

Carrol Kirsch

Archery has been a part of the Olympics ever since 1900. It was initially introduced in Paris as one of the nine different sports. It was later held in three other Olympics, in 1904, 1908 and 1920, before being removed altogether. This removal is said to have been due to a lack of interest in the sport.

Archery made its comeback in the 1972 Olympics. What is more interesting is that it reappeared on the Olympic scene after a gap of 52 years, and during this time, the sport had undergone substantive changes. One of the most vital changes was the structure of the bow and the arrow.

Before 1908, archers used traditional longbows to hit stationary targets 60-100m away. In later years, the distance was shortened to 70m. The targets were also changed from pictures of animals to circles with concentric rings. When archery returned to the Olympics, it had morphed into a different sport altogether. Archery’s modern-day Olympic version requires athletes to shoot distances of up to 70m at ten coloured, circular targets with a combination of arrows, with the score depending on where the arrow lands.

The introduction of this new variation of archery in the Olympics has significantly impacted the sport. Archery is no longer played with traditional longbows but with recurve bows and carbon-fiber arrows. The change in equipment has made the sport more technical and more visually appealing. Archers can now shoot more accurately, and the targets are not stationary but move. This has made the sport more challenging, and archers now require more precision and focus.

The sport has also become more inclusive, with archers of all ages and abilities able to compete on a level playing field. What was previously a sport for the wealthy and privileged, demanding physical strength, has become a sport that emphasizes accuracy, focus, and technique, making it one of the most accessible of the Olympic sports.

Archery has also played host to some of the greatest athletes in Olympic history. Im Dong Hyun, a visually impaired athlete, from South Korea, made headlines at the 2012 London Games when he set world records during the first round of the competition. Kim Soo Nyung, also from South Korea, won the gold medal in archery in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, setting a record for the most Olympic gold medals in archery. Another impressive athlete is Ki Bo-bae, who won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, setting a world record in the process.

In conclusion, archery's history in the Olympics has been an adventurous journey, one full of change, evolution, and excitement. The evolution has brought technical improvements to the sport, making it an attractive proposition for both the athlete and fans alike. The sport has now become more inclusive, providing athletes from different backgrounds and abilities with an opportunity to participate. Despite undergoing many changes in its Olympic history, archery continues to be a sport of grace, precision, and focus, making it one of the most enduring themes in Olympic history.