4 October 2010 - About Archery in Commonwealth Games

About Archery in Commonwealth Games Delhi – 4 October 2010   Archery returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1982 and offers the host nation India with one of its best chances for medals in Delhi.   The rivalry between India, England, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and all the other delegations should be exciting to watch in both individual and team events using two different types of bow – the recurve and compound – over seven days of competition at Yamuna Sports Complex.   The Games also marks the first time the Compound event has been included in a Commonwealth Games. It will feature the first Paralympian to compete for England at an able-bodied event at the Games, with the Paralympic gold medallist Danielle BROWN shooting in the women’s team compound.   Commonwealth Games Archery by the numbers:   Number   Fact 2014 Archery is one of the optional Commonwealth Games sports and will not be held in Glasgow in 2014 due to timing constraints. World Archery strongly hopes to return again in 2018. 1982 Archery made its first appearance at the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games. Only recurve competitions (individual and teams) were shot. 141 Archers competing at the Commonwealth Games New Delhi 2010 71 Delegations in New Delhi 70 The distance of the target in metres. 28 Archery will make its second appearance at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games after a 28-year absence, the longest gap for a sport to return to the Games programme. 24 Archery delegations in New Delhi 19 Editions of the Commonwealth Games 17 Sports represented in New Delhi 14 At 14 years old, Aalin ELLISSE (IOM) is the youngest Archery competitor in Delhi. 8 A total of eight Gold medals are at stake at the Delhi Games. 5 Five Commonwealth countries have won a medal in Archery – England, New Zealand, Canada, Northern Ireland and Australia. 4 There are four events scheduled for Women and Men – the Individual and Team Recurve and the Individual and Team Compound. 3 There is a maximum of three participants per country for each event. 2 Canada is the only country with more than one medal - a Silver and a Bronze, won in 1982. 1 Mark BLENKARNE (ENG) was the champion in Recurve Men in 1982, whereas Neroli FAIRHALL (NZL) achieved this in Recurve Women. She made this exploit as a para-athlete in a wheelchair winning the competition against able-bodied archers!    The return of Archery in Delhi after a 28-year gap sets a new Games record for sports that have been on the programme more than once. Archery last appeared at the Brisbane Games in 1982. Rowing held the previous record with a 24-year absence from 1962 to 1986.   Biggest gap in appearances of a sport at the Commonwealth Games:   Gap in Years Sport Period Present in 2010 Total appearances 28 Archery 1982-2010 Yes 2 24 Rowing 1962-1986 No 7 20 Synchronised Swimming 1986-2006 Yes 3 12 Gymnastics - Artistic 1978-1990 Yes 7 12 Judo 1990-2002 No 2   The whole World Archery community is looking forward to a successful return at the Commonwealth Games.   World Archery Communication Source GNS Commonwealth Games