Shooters Heading to Poland for World Cup Event

More than 100 shooters from 15 countries are heading to Szczecin, Poland, this week to compete in the first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting World Cup event of 2011.

Taking place from 24-27 March, the World Cup will see athletes compete in various rifle and pistol events, including 10m Air Rifle standing Men, Women and Mixed, 10m Air Pistol Men and Women and Falling Target events.

The first IPC Shooting World Cup of 2011 will also give shooters the chance to reach the Minimum Qualification Standard for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

At the London 2012 Paralympic Games there will be 140 athletes competing in 12 medal events. Each National Paralympic Committee (NPC) can be allocated a maximum of five places for athletes through the Direct Qualification Method. To be eligible for selection by an NPC, each athlete must be licensed, classified and have achieved the Minimum Qualification Standard at least twice in an IPC recognized competition.

The World Cup event in April in Turkey can also see athletes attain the Minimum Qualification Standard.

In addition to reaching the Minimum Qualification Standard, the three World Cup events taking place later this year between May and November in Spain, USA and Australia are also Paralympic Qualification events. This means the winners in each category will earn extra places for London 2012 for their NPC.

Shooting is a test of accuracy and control, in which competitors use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target. Competitions at the Paralympic Games are open to all athletes with a physical disability. Athletes compete in Rifle and Pistol events from distances of 10, 25 and 50m, in men's, women's and mixed competitions.

Last year’s IPC Shooting World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia attracted 246 athletes from 43 countries. Today shooting is widely practiced in 56 countries in all five continents.