Archery approved for inclusion in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sport programme

Para archery will make an appearance on its 26th Summer Paralympic programme in Tokyo in 2020. It will also be included at Rio 2016 and has been featured at every Paralympic Games since the first held in Rome in 1960.

According to the International Paralympic Committee, sports were assessed for worldwide participation in terms of countries and continents, the competition programme, athlete classification, anti-doping programmes, rules and regulations and initiatives taken to make the sport more attractive.

“Our aim is to ensure that the final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme is fresh and features the best para sports possible,” said IPC President Sir Philip CRAVEN.

“I would like to thank all the sports that submitted applications.”

Para archery’s categories and structure have undergone some changes recently, designed to make competition easily understandable, appealing to audiences and in compliance with the IPC’s classification principles.

“We have worked hard to develop the para discipline of archery to maintain its relevance and value to the Paralympic Games,” said World Archery President Prof Dr Ugur ERDENER.

The level of para archery competition is ever increasing. In 2014, multiple new world records were set, particularly in the compound open and W1 divisions.

At both Rio and Tokyo, attention has been focused on more severely impaired athletes. For these competitors, both these Games will feature a mixed team competition for the first time, which was introduced since World Archery assumed governance of para archery from the IPC in 2009.

“Given the sport’s pedigree and our athletes’ continuously-improving standards, it’s key that it remains a staple sport at the Paralympic Games. We’re proud to have been confirmed for Tokyo.”

Archery has been on the Paralympic programme since the very beginning.

The sport was used as a rehabilitation tool for injured veterans by Dr Ludwig GUTTMAN. GUTTMAN organised a competition for patients with spinal cord injuries at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

This competition evolved into the International Wheelchair Games, first held in 1948 to coincide with the Olympics in London. Held again four years later, this elite multisport event for people with impairments was the precursor to the first Paralympic Games.

Para archery is well integrated into the able-bodied and open side of the sport. Wheelchair athletes have competed at two past Olympic Games and para athletes are often seen at elite international able-bodied and open competition.

World Archery recently highlighted eight key moments in the sport’s history as the International Paralympic Committee celebrated its 25-year anniversary.

Para Archery is part of the sport programmes of the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The Donaueschingen 2015 World Archery Para Championships is the principle para archery qualification tournament for Rio.