Shooting

Shooting has been part of the Olympic programme since the inaugural Games in Athens in 1896, where five events were held. It has featured in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games since then, with the exception of St. Louis 1904 and Amsterdam 1928. Over time, the sport has grown significantly, evolving in line with technological advancements in firearms and equipment. Today, Olympic shooting features 15 medal events.

At Paris 2024, the Olympic shooting competition included six events for men, six for women, and three mixed-gender team events.

The events are categorized into three disciplines: rifle, pistol, and shotgun.

Rifle and pistol events are held at distances of 10m, 25m, and 50m, with athletes shooting at stationary targets on a shooting range.
Shotgun events involve shooting at moving clay targets launched from various angles and directions, testing athletes’ reflexes and precision.

Accuracy in shooting requires exceptional control and mental focus. Athletes train to lower their heart rate and fire in between heartbeats. They also use specialized equipment like blinkers to block distractions and enhance focus on the target, which may appear as just a dot in the distance.

Team Qatar’s most remarkable achievement in Olympic shooting came at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah secured the bronze medal in men's skeet shooting, marking a historic moment for Qatari sport. Al-Attiyah, also a renowned rally driver, demonstrated his elite skill level by edging out the competition in a tense shoot-off for third place.

Qatar Shooting & Archery Association

The Qatar Shooting & Archery Association was established in 1978 as the official body overseeing the development, regulation, and promotion of shooting and archery sports in the country. Operating under the Qatar Olympic Committee, the association works in alignment with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and World Archery, ensuring that its programs and competitions meet international standards.

The association manages a variety of shooting disciplines, including trap, skeet, 10m air rifle, 10m air pistol, and several archery categories. It runs year-round training programs through specialized national facilities like the Lusail Shooting Range, focusing on both grassroots development and elite athlete preparation.

Qatar has produced several standout athletes in recent years, including Mohammed Al-Rumaihi and Masoud Hamad, who have represented the country in multiple international competitions, including the Asian Games and Olympic qualifiers. Rising talents such as Khalid Al-Mudhaf and Rashid Saleh are also gaining attention on the Arab and Asian circuits.

On the hosting front, the association has successfully organized numerous regional and international tournaments, including the Asian Shooting Championships, Arab Archery and Shooting Cups, and ISSF World Cup stages, further cementing Qatar’s reputation as a leading destination for precision sports in the region.