July 12, 2024

Paris 2024: The A-Z of Olympic and Paralympic archery

Embark on an exciting journey through the world of Olympic and Paralympic archery with our A-Z guide! From "Arrow" to "X-rings", this is a bite-sized chance to learn a little about archery.

A – Arrows

The essential projectiles propelled by bows, crafted with precision for accuracy and flight. Some arrows undergo years and years of testing before they ever make it to market.

B – Bow

The primary equipment in archery, used to propel arrows towards targets with varying designs and colours.

C – Compound

A type of bow characterised by cables and cams, offering a mechanical advantage and increased accuracy.

D – D-loop

A small loop of material attached to the string, used to connect a mechanical release aid in compound archery.

E – End

A set number of arrows shot consecutively during a practice session or competition round.

F – Finals stage

The culminating phase of a competition where top contenders compete for medals and accolades.

G – Gold

The ultimate achievement in archery, awarded to the highest-scoring competitor or team in a tournament.

H – Head-to-head

A format of competition where archers directly compete against each other, often in knockout rounds.

I – Inside-out

A term describing an arrow which lands perfectly in the very centre of the target face, not touching the outer line. This is a term primarily used in indoor archery.

J – Judge

An official responsible for enforcing rules, maintaining fairness, and overseeing competitions.

K – Kisser

A reference point on the bowstring, typically a button or attachment, used to ensure consistent anchor points for the archer's face. 

L – Launcher

A rest used for compound bows who supports the arrow before release.

M – Medal

A coveted prize awarded to top-performing archers in recognition of their achievements in competitions.

N – Nock

The plastic notch at the end of an arrow where it connects with the bowstring before release.

O – Olympian

An elite athlete who competes in the Olympic Games, showcasing their skill and dedication on the world stage.

P – Paralympian

A remarkable athlete who competes in the Paralympic Games, demonstrating resilience and talent in adaptive sports.

Q – Qualification

The process by which archers earn entry into tournaments based on their performance in preceding events or ranking systems.

R – Recurve

A traditional style of bow characterised by its distinctive curved limbs, used in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

S – Spider

A colloquial term for an arrow that lands in the very centre of the target.

T – Target

The designated point aimed at by archers during practice sessions or competitions, often consisting of concentric circles.

U – Upshot

The final arrow of a competition, or the result or outcome of a competition, often determining the ranking of participants.

V – V-bar

V-shaped dual stabiliser bars attached to the bow's riser, aiding in balance and reducing vibration during the shot.

W – W1

A classification in Paralympic archery for athletes with the most severe physical impairments, including those who use wheelchairs.

X – X-ring

The smallest and most central scoring area on a target face, typically denoted by the letter "X" and awarding the highest points.

Y – Yoke

A component of compound bows, connecting the bow's limbs and facilitating their movement.

Z – Zenith

The highest point or pinnacle of an archer's performance, representing mastery and excellence in the sport.

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