Mixed teams, set formats and other major changes accepted at Congress!

The world of archery took again some major steps forward at the occasion of the 48th FITA Congress. As of 1 April 2010, the mixed team competitions that were introduced as exhibitions in 2009 will be official! The mixed team event consists of one man and one woman from the same team shooting four ends of four arrows in a match.   As of 1 April 2010, archers will have to win three sets to win their matches. Each end of three arrows will count as a set. Of course, tie-breaks, as they occur, may still be required!   Congress also sent a clear message today to give more identity to compound and differentiate their competitions. Compound means, ultimate accuracy and athletes will be able to prove it with the hit-miss scoring system. Compound archers will shoot at 50 metres with a very challenging hit zone target! The new set system, that was voted in will also apply. In order to give teams and archers time to adapt, to the hit-miss system, there will be first introduced at the medal finals at the World Cup stages next year but will only be made official (for World Championships, major games, etc.) as of 1 April 2011.   World archery has also given more time for young archers to develop. Cadets will now be able to shoot in their category through the year of their 17th birthday and juniors through the year of their 20th birthday. This will help the transition to true elite level and these new rules are in line with the Youth Olympic Games. For practical reasons, this new rule will be applied as of 1 January 2010.   FITA had the pleasure to confirm eight new Member Associations: Algeria, Afghanistan, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Guinea, Montenegro and Tunisia.   Last but not least, the new World Archery logo has been officially presented in style to Congress!   All official decisions will be communicated later on in the Congress official minutes.   Didier MIEVILLE