Archery Distance In The Olympics

Olympic archers shoot at targets from a distance of 70 metres (77 yards or 230 feet), although the maximum distance they can shoot is 90 metres. This 70-metre distance is a standard set by the World Archery Federation, which is the governing body for all Olympic rules. Archers shoot at a circular target, aiming for the innermost ring, known as the 'X ring', which has a diameter of just 12.2 centimetres.

The standard Olympic archery distance is 70 metres

Archery has been a regular fixture at the Olympics since 1972, but it was first introduced in 1900. It was then excluded from the Olympics until its return in 1972. The standard distance of 70 metres is used for both men's and women's competitions. Previously, there were different distances for male and female archers, with men shooting at 90, 70, 50, and 30 metres, and women shooting at 70, 60, 50, and 30 metres. However, these varying distances were ceased by the World Archery Federation in favour of the standard 70-metre distance.

The 70-metre distance is important for both fans and archers to understand. For fans, it gives them a new perspective on the size of the target and the challenge the archers face. For archers, fully grasping the distance they are shooting at can help them prepare mentally and physically for the competition.

The target in Olympic archery has a diameter of 122 centimetres, with the innermost 10-point ring measuring 12.2 centimetres. The targets are circular and stationary, with 10 scoring zones consisting of gold, red, blue, black, and white rings. The innermost ring, also known as the X ring, is usually used for tie-breaking, with the competitor whose arrow lands closest to the X declared the winner.

Archers shoot at a target face with a 122-centimetre diameter

The standard competition distance in Olympic archery is 70 metres for recurve bows and 50 metres for compound bows. Archers shoot at a target face with a 122-centimetre diameter, consisting of 10 scoring zones and gold, red, blue, black and white rings. The target face is usually pinned to a target boss or butt, made of foam or straw.

The target scores 10 points for the inner ring and one point for the outer ring. The yellow rings, which are 12.2 centimetres in diameter, score 10 and nine points, while the red rings score eight and seven points. The blue rings are worth six and five points, the black rings score four and three points, and the white rings score two points and one point. If an archer misses the target, they score zero points.

The 122-centimetre target face is used in recurve archery, where archers shoot from 70 metres away. In compound archery, archers shoot from 50 metres away at a smaller target face with an 80-centimetre diameter. The outer four rings of the target face are usually removed, leaving only the yellow, red and blue rings.

In barebow archery, archers also shoot from 50 metres away at a 122-centimetre target face. This discipline does not have a separate competition category at the Olympics, but it does have international rules.

The innermost ring, worth 10 points, is 12.2 centimetres in diameter

The Olympic archery target distance is 70 metres or 77 yards. This is the standard competition distance for recurve bows. The circular targets are 122 centimetres in diameter and positioned 130 centimetres above the ground.

The red rings are worth eight and seven points, the blue rings are worth six and five points, the black rings are worth four and three points, and the white rings are worth two and one point.

The target face is divided into 10 concentric scoring rings, with the colours gold, red, blue, black, and white. The innermost ring is gold, followed by red, then blue, black, and white.

The size of the target face and the scoring system are standardised by the World Archery Federation, which is the recognised governing body for all archery and Olympic rules. The Federation sets the distances and target specifications to ensure consistency and fairness in competitions.

The target is made up of 10 scoring zones

The target in Olympic archery is made up of 10 scoring zones, which are divided into five colours: gold, red, blue, black, and white. The innermost ring is yellow and scores 10 points, while the outer rings are white and score either one or two points. The full point allocation from the inner ring to the outer is as follows: 10 points, nine points (also yellow), eight points (red), seven points (red), six points (blue), five points (blue), four points (black), three points (black), two points (white), and one point (white).

The target face is 122cm in diameter, with the innermost 10-point ring measuring 12.2cm. The targets are sometimes called 'butts' and are positioned north of the archer. They are usually placed 4-6 yards apart, with a flag on every third butt to indicate wind direction.

The 10 scoring zones are also referred to as 'rings', and the inner 10 ring is sometimes called the 'X ring'. This becomes the 10 ring at indoor compound competitions. In outdoor competitions, it serves as a tiebreaker, with the archer scoring the most X's winning.

The targets are set at a distance of 70 metres for recurve bows and 50 metres for compound bows.

The Olympic archery range is designed to accommodate 72 archers

The Olympic archery range size and layout are carefully designed to provide a controlled and safe environment for the archers and spectators. The total size of the archery range varies from 120 to 150 meters, with the target distance set at 70 meters or 77 yards. This distance is standardised by the World Archery Federation, providing an equal opportunity for all participants.

Safety is a crucial consideration in the design of the Olympic archery range. The range extends beyond the target distance to account for any mishaps or malfunctions. The space behind the target serves as an allowance for arrows to travel through, reducing the risk of injury.

The Olympic archery range also accommodates the spectator area and the coaches' area. Archery officials have their designated space to ensure a smooth and fair competition. The layout of the range is designed to provide clear lines of sight for spectators and officials, enhancing their experience and enabling effective oversight of the event.

The design of the Olympic archery range reflects the importance of safety, fairness, and functionality. By accommodating 72 archers and providing a controlled environment, the range ensures a competitive and enjoyable experience for all participants and spectators.

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