Posts Tagged ‘kevin stone’
The Death of Olympic Recurve
By TEAM USA 2004 & 2008 as written in http://apps.facebook.com/causes/40196/10253827
Make no mistake, I love my PSE Mojos and Sharks, but my X-factor Recurve has taken me around the world more than once, and helped to bring back historic first «US Bling». True, compounds travel as well, actually traveling more on the pro-curcuit than any Recurve. You’ve got NAA, IBO, NFAA, and a miriad of other organizations that funnel any compound shooter’s interest and take them around the world as well…like in the case of the largest percentage of my Paralympic 04 & 08 teammates. We’ve had what I consider to be the best compound shooters on the planet, but understand why they’re there, and why compound is allowed in the Paralympic games…it really seperates the Para from the Oly.
I saw the thread that asks «why not in the olympics, if it’s in the Paralympics?», or something to that effect. Originaly, the compound was added as the ‘handicap’ factor for the Paralympics, allowing amputees and severe quads (quadrapelegics) the opprotunity to be competitive on a «parralelled» Olympic level and by classifying it as a recurve bow. During the 05 World Games, we (IPC Athlete reps) [almost] unilaterraly voted to drop a compound’s weight from 60 to 45 and eperate it into a «compound» class, because of complaints and concerns that the compound at anything over 45 could never be considered «recurve» due to it’s speed, multiple aiming reference, and superior…yah I said superior….accuracy.
There’s really only one argument for «not» letting compound be apart of the Olympics…it would mean the death of recurve as an Olympic sport. Lets face it – shear speed and accuracy, with the flash and size that’s more identifiable with most bow shooters, hunters, shops, and clubs around the world is the make-up of the compound bow. Is there money in recurve…ha…NO; not unless it’s a sponsor’s check for 1st thru 3rd. Are there big pro or 3-D tours with Cabella’s or Outdoor World backing you as a Recurve…NO, not even at my Elite Level…and I know, I work for Outdoor World as their staff ‘Olympic’ shooter. It seems all the money and the sponsorship is in compound.
Compound vs. Recurve…they really are two seperate animals in the sense of equipment, and in the hands of the athletes that hold them. I won’t even dare to go into the differences between the two, as to which one takes more athleticism ’cause you can’t do that in the Para’s…they’re both as unique as the archers that pull that string with hand paralysis, weak trunks, with teeth…all amazing athletes. But at an able-bodied Olympic level I just don’t think you can make the same argument.
You’ll have to generate the same ammount of interest between the two to bring it into the games as a medal sport. USA Shooting has done it across the board with Rifle, Pistol, and Shot Gun…Powder vs. Pnuematic…I’ve experienced that too as a US Shooter trying for the games in Sydney. Seperate animals, but all belonging to the same zoo, with the same ammount of spectators. Could Compound revitalize Recurve as a spectator and participant sport? Maybe? But most Recurve archers would see the demise of their sport slide with the inability to keep up with the speed, scores, and 10 count that the compound delivers.
I guess the only ones that will understand, or would be qualified to make the case to include the compound as an «Olympic» event, will be the archers that shoot both, and understand the extreme and delicate differences between the two.
I love my compounds, and just started shooting really well with them. To me, it’s much easier to keep and hold my shot, and to be extremely «surgical» in the shot…it’s awesome. However, not everbody can pull and hold 45 – 55 lbs. without a left-off, with only windage and elevation, or with 68″ limbs that become huge collective sails in the wind, and still make a Paralympic or Olympic Team…or medal in an event The differences aren’t really that subtle.
I believe Compound would kill Recurve, and all the history behind it…at least so far…
Tom wanted me to join this, but right now I can’t. Tom though, is one hell of an athlete, and I saw his «best game» against the top shooters while we were in Beijing; his was one of my favorite matches to watch. I would love to see him or another one of my 04 or 08 teammates make the Olympic team, but not at the cost of one of the original combative sports that started it all.
Maybe I’m just a little disinfrachised because I have to go to work now and sell compounds to the hoardes of tourist hunters…I’ve only sold one recurve in three years…but this is Tennessee afterall.
Kevin Stone
TEAM USA
2004 & 2008
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