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Archery is one of the oldest forms of warfare. It has also emerged as a form of activity through which a person could show his skills. This gave rise to archery as a sport and over time, it has emerged as one of the most amazing sports that are played. It has also been a long time since archery has been included in some of the most popular sporting events. One of them is the Olympic Games, the greatest show on earth.
Archery was first included in the Summer Olympics way back in the year 1900. But it has had an interrupted appearance in this immensely popular tournament, which features different types of sports. For example, although it was first included in 1900, archery became a regular event in the Olympics only after the 1972. It had intermittent appearances between these two years though. But since 1972, archery has become an integral part of the Summer Olympics.
Equipment Necessary
The Olympic Games have only one form of archery in its list of events – Recurve Archery. It is a form that needs the use of a special kind of bow. When strung, this bow has its ends curving away from the archer. In addition, a number of other instruments are also necessary for the archers while they are participating in the Olympic Games. Here’s a look at some of the most important equipment they need at the Olympics:
- Arrows with maximum diameter of 9.3 mm
- Armguard for protection from the bowstring
- Bowstring
- Chestguard to keep clothing away
- Fingertab or shooting glove for better grip
- Fletching to make the arrow fly straight
- Hand grib or handle of the bow to facilitate better grip
- Quiver for holding the arrows
The archers need to carry all these things with him or her to be eligible for the competition. Besides, carrying one’s own kit helps to give a sense of comfort. It comes in extremely handy when the archer is trying to give a spirited performance at this greatest show of sports on earth.
Most performances in the Olympics
There has been a number of records in the field of archery at the Summer Olympics. Not all nations have participated in the sport equal number of times. It is France that holds the record of qualifying for the maximum number of times in the competition. They have participated 11 times. However, several other countries have also participated different times and many of them have also won the medals a number of times.
Archery records at the Olympic Games
When it comes to domination in the tournament, it’s not France, but South Korea that wins hands down. Till date, South Korea has won 19 gold medals at the Summer Olympics. It is followed by the United States and Belgium. Most of the Olympics archery records are also held by the South Koreans. The South Koreans hold as many as 12 of the 15 Olympics records.
An expected landmark in Olympics archery
But there is an amazing news in the field of archery. It came right from Vatican, the sacred country. Italy has already posted a bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. During that time, the name of Vatican City has surfaced as a possible place to host the archery events. A top cardinal from Portugal, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, suggested the idea. “This seems to me to be an excellent idea”, Martins was quoted as saying. "It has never been done but the Church has always encouraged sport as a vehicle for healthy values”, he added. Although this really is an amazing idea for the archery fans, the final decision on this will be possible only if Italy wins the bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
It will surely be one of the most wonderful additions in the history of archery if the Olympics Archery is held in the Vatican City, the center of the Christian religious universe. However, irrespective of whether it happens or not, archery will continue to be one of the most amazing attractions of the Summer Olympics in future as well. It is expected to be a perfect springboard for the archers who are likely to emerge as the future greats of the sport.
Contributed By :archeryrangetexas
