Para archery: an art form

The Para archery tournaments will be held in the grandiose setting of the esplanade des Invalides, where an ephemeral arena seating 8,000 spectators will be set up. From August 29 to September 5, epic duels will be fought between the world's best archers.

The success of Para archery is undeniable, as this discipline is deeply rooted in the history of the Paralympic movement. And with good reason: it was included in the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, and has always held its place in the program of the International Paralympic Committee (only five other disciplines can say the same: Para athletics, Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair fencing, Para swimming, Para table tennis).

Composure, concentration and precision are the main qualities required to shine at the highest level. The knockout system leaves no room for doubt or hesitation. In the French capital this summer, nine gold medals will be awarded (3 for men, 3 for women, 3 mixed).

A story in three parts

Whether for women, men or mixed, there are three types of event:

1. Open classic bow: Archers in this category have various physical handicaps affecting one of their upper or lower limbs. To neutralize the differences, archers can shoot from a wheelchair or stool if the archer has unstable standing balance, or shoot with the mouth if the disability concerns an upper limb. Each shooter shoots from a distance of 70 meters, at a 122-centimeter-diameter target made up of 10 concentric circles scoring from 10 to 1 points (10 being the area furthest from the center of the target).

2. Open compound bow: For shooters with limited arm strength due to disability. Shooting takes place at 50 meters from a high seat or wheelchair, on an 80-centimeter-diameter target whose blazon is reduced to leave only the 10- to 5-point zones. Once again, a wide range of disabilities are represented, and in order to neutralize the differences, archers benefit from the same regulated accommodations as those in the Open classique Bow category.
   The advantage of the compound bow is that it increases power tenfold and therefore requires less force to use. Ideal for all archers who find it difficult to keep the bow under tension for long periods due to their disability. With this type of bow, archers also benefit from a scope and visor (sighting aids).

3. W1: In this case, the archers have a disability affecting the lower limbs, upper limbs and trunk. They shoot with a compound bow without scope or visor. Shooting takes place at a distance of 50 meters, on an 80-centimeter-diameter target with 10 zones. In this W1 category, all participants shoot in wheelchairs.

Important note: competitions for visually impaired archers are not included in the Paralympic Games program.

The beauty of the gesture

In order to hit the bull's-eye with an arrow, the archer has to go through a series of gymnastics, both physical and psychological, rehearsed thousands of times in training. To give yourself the best chance of success, you have to be able to deal with uncontrollable elements: wind, cold, heat, rain, noise, etc. All these factors have to be mastered to ensure that when the arrow is released, it has a maximum chance of ending up in the most rewarding point zone.
Self-confidence and stress management are two stylistic exercises to be performed under the pressure of competition. It's in the key moments that champions stand out from their opponents. Because at 50 or 70 meters, a deviation of one millimeter at the release point results in a shift of 20 centimeters or more from the intended point of impact.

Power and agility

Compound bows are made from high-tech materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. Each bow is regularly tested and inspected, as it is severely subjected to the rigors of every shot. Pulling a compound bow can require up to 28 kilos (60 pounds) of force. The advantage of this system is that it reduces this tension to 6 kilos (13 pounds) in arrow holding weight. An arrow shot from a compound bow can reach the impressive speed of 250 km/h. A sighting aid is also present on this type of bow, with an adjustable sight attached to the handle, as well as a magnifier (also known as a “scope”) containing a magnifying lens, an eyecup and a levelling bubble.

Compound bows are included in the program of the Paralympic Games and the World Championships, but not in the Olympic Games. Only the classical bow is used on the Olympic side. Classical bows require greater force than recurve bows (22 kilos of pressure for an arrow speed of 200 km/h).

Finally, para archers can shoot with their mouths, thanks to a leather tab held between their teeth, feet or arms, depending on their handicap. Everything has been thought out to reach the final goal, which remains the same for everyone: to hit the bull's-eye and raise the score counter higher than your opponent's!

Stories in the History

• New Zealand para-archer Neroli Fairhall, gold medallist at the 1980 Arnhem Paralympic Games, became the first paraplegic athlete to take part in the Olympic Games, in Los Angeles 1984. She finished a fine thirty-fifth in the archery tournament.

• Italian Paola Fantato is the most successful Paralympian in archery, having won five gold, one silver and two bronze medals in her five Paralympic Games between 1988 and 2004. She is also known for being the first athlete in history to take part in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year. That was in Atlanta in 1996. At the Olympic tournament, she came ninth in the team event, and fifty-fourth individually, while she won gold with her compatriots in the team event, and bronze individually at the Paralympics.

• Zahra Nemati (pictured above, gold medal on her mouth) also made history at the London 2012 Games, becoming the first Iranian woman athlete to win a gold medal at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games. Four years later in Rio, she repeated the feat after carrying the Iranian flag at the opening ceremony. That same year, the para-archer also took part in the Olympic Games, finishing 33rd in the tournament. She will win another Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021.

• Great Britain is the most successful nation in archery at the Paralympic Games. Team GB won 21 gold, 24 silver and 23 bronze medals, for a total of 68 medals. It is also one of only three nations, along with France and the USA, to have participated in every Paralympic archery tournament since the first one in 1960.