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Director’s Page The Changing Landscape of Sport Sports are ever changing and


Shooting is no exception. More signifi cant changes have been the transition from paper to elec- tronic targets and the adoption of fi nals. Changes in sport are done to make the sport better for players, media and/or spec- tators.


Changes to formats, confer-


ences, rules and such usually result in improvements; although change is not always well re- ceived. And for sure, sport has become more complex over the years with Shooting again being no exception. The rules of golf are now 187 pages. Football rules become more complex most every year and will continue to do so with the increased em- phasis on player safety. With all considered, Shooting rules have not changed all that much over our long history, although the ri- fl e shooters, with their extensive clothing rules, may disagree. The adoption of airgun events


that have replaced 300 me- ter shooting have been healthy for our sport. 300 meter rifl e was termed “king of shooting.” However, costs of guns, ammo, range equipment and land area required became detriments and worldwide participation de- creased. Today, air rifl e and air pistol are the two most popular shooting events in ISSF competi- tion.


The introduction of separate


women’s events in 1984 was a hallmark. Women’s participation has increased to where it equals men in some events. It has been a boon to our sport. Women’s events also are in line with the IOC push for gender equity. We


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currently have nine men’s and six women’s Olympic events. Ex- pect an evolution toward equity of those numbers. The introduction of elec-


tronic targets in 1985 dramati- cally changed the rifl e and pis- tol events. Scoring became real time with winners knowing their results when the last shot was fi red.


Match administration and


scoring was simplifi ed and the personnel required to conduct a competition was reduced. On the downside, however, electronic targets are costly and remain


USA Shooting News | March 2014


so even in the wake of ongoing technology developments. Few clubs have the capability to in- stall electronic targets. The introduction of “Finals”


in 1986 was received with skepticism and criticism. Finals brought another aspect to our sport to which shooters and coaches were not comfortable. We now recognize the adoption of fi nals was positive for our sport. Finals added an exciting climax that was not predict- able. Finals were initiated at the encouragement of the IOC to make our sport more appealing


BY ROBERT MITCHELL USAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


to spectators and more desir- able to television. All sports have been required to do so, and if we had not followed through then shooting would likely not be part of the Olympic program today. Even though we in the U.S. see very little televised shooting, it is popular in Europe and Asia. As discussed in a previous ar-


ticle, ISSF rule changes in 2013 regarding fi nals were substantial. Those changes were arguably more signifi cant than all chang- es made from 1986 to 2012. Last year was the implementa- tion year for changes to Finals procedures. There are very minor refi nements for 2014 and we will use the current rules through at least 2016. These changes were made at the encouragement of the IOC broadcasting group in an effort once again to make our sport more desirable. As a mem- ber of the Olympic family, it is not for ISSF to argue with the “Big Boss” but rather to fi nd a way to meet those needs and preserve the integrity of the sport. It is recognized that the best inter- ests of our sport extend beyond television and spectators. Our sport is for our customers – the participants. Rules adopted by a sport governing body do not always meet the need of na- tional organizations and member clubs. Such is the situation with some of the 2013 rules changes. Not all countries, let alone clubs, have ranges with electronic tar- gets and the capability to score in decimals. Developing athletes do need to sight their rifl es prone before proceeding to standing and kneeling. There are safety concerns with beginning shoot-


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