NRAI Seeks Clarification on Mixed Team Rules for Paris Olympics

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is seeking clarification from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding the rules for mixed team events at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This clarification could potentially impact India's Olympic selection process.

NRAI has conducted four rounds of Olympic Selection Trials (OST) to select the shooting team, but the final squad announcement is pending. The trials produced some unexpected results, with 2022 World Champion Rudrankksh Patil finishing third in the 10m air rifle event, behind Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta.

According to NRAI's selection policy, the top two shooters in the trials automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, for mixed team events, the ISSF rule for Paris Olympics states that if the number of mixed teams entered exceeds the available firing points, the Qualification Ranking for Olympic Games (QROG) will be used to determine the final entry list.

The QROG considers the combined points of both members of the mixed team in their respective individual events. Rudrankksh currently ranks second in the QROG for 10m air rifle, while Babuta is 33rd and Singh is 48th. This means that Rudrankksh, who did not qualify for the Olympics individually, could have a better chance of qualifying for the mixed team event based on his QROG ranking.

NRAI has sought clarification on the number of mixed teams that will be selected and the criteria that will be followed. The association has also issued fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for personal coaches who wish to accompany their wards during training in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Tags: #Shooting, #Olympics, #NRAI, #ISSF, #MixedTeams