Chopping of events likely to hit shooters hard
THE ISSF’S HAND HAS BEEN FORCED BY THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S ‘AGENDA 2020’, WHICH CALLS FOR ALL SPORTS FEDERATIONS “TO GET 50 PER CENT FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES”
NEW DELHI: The ISSF (international shooting federation) has a tough task in the coming months. As soon as the curtains come down on the Rio Olympics, the ISSF general assembly will decide on the fate of three disciplines – double trap, 50metre pistol and 50metre prone.
Several shooters, including the reigning gold medallist in double trap Peter Wilson, have written to the international body not to cull their sport.
The ISSF’s hand has been forced by the International Olympic Committee’s ‘Agenda 2020’, which calls for all sports federations “to get 50 per cent female participation in the Olympic Games”. It also calls for mixed team events. So to accommodate this, the ISSF has to drop a few from its Olympic programme.
Raninder Singh, who is part of the ISSF executive committee, said a decision would be taken when the general assembly meets in September.
“We have to follow IOC guidelines. They want 50 per cent female participation in our events. But there are a lot of things to be decided. Some countries only have double trap ranges, so what happens to the infrastructure,” he said.
The impact on double trap will be felt in India as Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had won silver in this event at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the first by an Indian. His success was followed by Ronjan Sodhi’s phenomenal surge, as he won 12 medals between 2007 and 2012. This included an unprecedented three back-to-back medals at World Cup finals.
“It is speculation right now. But I also know a few international shooters have already written to the ISSF to not drop double trap for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Ronjan.
“I am surprised they are even thinking of it as double trap is a TV-friendly event. Targets fly straight and it is easy to catch them on camera,” he said.
Citing the example of women’s double trap, which was dropped from the 2004 Athens programme, Ronjan said the ISSF should give active shooters at least three-four years to decide on what they want to do.
“We knew by 2001 that women’s double trap wasn’t going to be held in Athens. They shouldn’t just drop it,” he quipped.
He also cited the predicament of junior shooters. “It’ll be tough on them. If double trap goes, they have to decide whether to move to trap or skeet. Besides, there is no clarity on what will replace the event and how. So we will have to wait and watch,” he said.