Why is compound archery not included at Olympics?

Published at :July 30, 2024 at 4:01 PM

Modified at :July 30, 2024 at 4:01 PM

Despite featuring at the Pan-American, European and Asian Games, compound archery is not a part of the Olympics.

If there is any sport whose history can be traced back to the evolution of humankind, it is archery. Bows and arrows were primarily used for hunting and warfare by humans, but the introduction of gunpowder and the irrelevance of bows in modern warfare led to the development of archery as a competitive sport.

Modern-day competitions include two different forms of archery, recurve and compound. Recurve archery is the traditional form and it has featured at the Olympics since the Munich Games in 1972.

Compound archery originated in the US in the 1960s and was included at the World Archery Championships for the first time in 1995. It has also been a part of the Archery World Cup since 2006. Both archery forms are played competitively on the international stage, but compound archery is not included at the Olympic Games.

To decipher this question let us first understand the basic difference between recurve and compound archery.

Recurve vs Compound Archery

The basic difference between both forms of archery lies in the types of bows used. In recurve archery, a more traditional type of bow is used. Both ends of the bow curve away from the archers after curving inwards, hence the name ‘recurve.’

The archers aim and use their muscle strength to pull the bow string for the shot before finally releasing the arrow manually by relaxing their fingers. The target is set at a distance of 70m in recurve archery and this form requires more skills and technique.

The bows used in compound archery are slightly advanced as they are mechanical bows having pulleys, cables and magnifying lenses along with a release switch. The pulley system allows for a let-off which reduces the holding weight at full draw.

As a result, archers can hold the bow steady for a longer period without much muscle fatigue and they also need not hold the full draw weight because of the availability of the release switch. The target is set 50m away in compound archery. All these factors reduce the impact of human abilities and make compound archers focus only on accuracy.

The reason behind the non-inclusion of compound archery at the Olympics:

The primary reason behind compound archery not featuring at the Olympics is its historical perception as a sport reliant on technology rather than pure athleticism. This view contrasts with the Olympic spirit, which emphasizes inclusivity and human effort.

Another significant issue is universality. Olympic events are designed to be globally inclusive, allowing participation from around the world. Compound archery, which originated in the US, is predominantly popular in North America and Europe, resulting in a smaller, more elite pool of participants.

Despite these challenges, World Archery has been advocating for the inclusion of compound archery at the Olympics. However, a proposal for its inclusion at the 2028 LA Olympics was rejected by the IOC Executive Board in October 2023. The decision was based on concerns about the event’s impact on the budget and the increase in the number of qualifying archers

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram

Why is compound archery not included at Olympics?

Despite featuring at the Pan-American, European and Asian Games, compound archery is not a part of the Olympics.

Recurve vs Compound Archery

Trending Indian Sports articles

The reason behind the non-inclusion of compound archery at the Olympics: