what gun sports are in the olympics? The answer is Olympic sport shooting, which includes rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. At the Paris 2024 Games, athletes competed in 15 medal events across those disciplines, including individual and mixed-team contests.
This guide lists the events, explains how each one works, and shows how scoring and finals differ. You’ll also learn why Olympic shooting is not the same as biathlon or archery, and what the word “gun” can miss about air-gun events. The exact event lineup can change between Olympic Games, so the examples below identify the Paris 2024 program.
what gun sports are in the olympics?
The Olympic sport commonly called shooting has three disciplines: rifle, pistol, and shotgun. The Paris 2024 program had 15 medal events: six individual events for men, six for women, and three mixed-team events. Athletes aim at paper targets or moving clay targets, with scores based on accuracy and the event’s rules.
“Gun sports” is an informal label, not the official Olympic sport name. Olympic shooting is governed internationally by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), and competitors use tightly regulated equipment. The events are precision competitions, not military-style or practical shooting contests.
Olympic programs can change from one Games to another. The list below describes the events held at Paris 2024, rather than promising that every event will appear at every future Olympics.
The Olympic rifle, pistol, and shotgun events
Each discipline tests a different kind of accuracy. Rifle and pistol competitors shoot at fixed targets from set distances. Shotgun athletes fire at clay targets launched into the air. The table gives the Paris 2024 event lineup and a quick description of what makes each event distinct.
| Event | Discipline and task | Best for understanding |
|---|---|---|
| 10m air rifle | Rifle; standing shots at a stationary target | Fine control and steady aim |
| 50m rifle three positions | Rifle; shots from kneeling, prone, and standing positions | Changing body position while maintaining precision |
| 10m air pistol | Pistol; standing shots at a stationary target | One-handed aiming and consistency |
| 25m rapid fire pistol | Pistol; rapid sequences at several targets | Fast, controlled shooting; men’s event in Paris 2024 |
| 25m pistol | Pistol; precision and rapid-fire stages | Two different shooting rhythms; women’s event in Paris 2024 |
| Trap | Shotgun; clay targets launched away from the athlete | Tracking targets that move out into the field |
| Skeet | Shotgun; clay targets cross from two launch points | Timing shots on crossing targets |
| Mixed-team events | Teams of one woman and one man in air rifle, air pistol, or trap | Combined team scores and head-to-head finals |
The table groups related events for readability; it does not mean there were only eight medal events. In Paris, the individual categories accounted for 12 medals events: men’s and women’s air rifle, rifle three positions, air pistol, trap, and skeet, plus the men’s rapid fire pistol and women’s 25m pistol. Three mixed-team events brought the total to 15.
How rifle shooting works
Rifle events reward accuracy and repeatability. Athletes fire at a fixed target, and the closer a shot is to the center, the more it is worth. At elite level, a small movement in posture, breathing, or trigger pressure can affect where the shot lands.
10m air rifle
In the 10m air rifle event, competitors shoot from a standing position at a target 10 meters away. The rifle uses compressed air or gas to propel a pellet. It does not fire a conventional cartridge, but it is still a precision shooting event that requires concentration and strict range procedures.
Qualification scores determine who advances to the final. In the final, athletes shoot under a separate format that can include elimination as the score develops. This means a strong qualification round earns a place in the final, but the final is a new contest rather than a simple continuation of the earlier ranking.
50m rifle three positions
The 50m rifle three positions event tests athletes in kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Prone means lying on the stomach; standing requires the athlete to support the rifle without resting it on a surface. Kneeling creates another balance and support challenge. Competitors complete the prescribed course in each position, and their scores contribute to the overall result.
This event takes longer to explain than a single-position contest because athletes must adjust their setup and technique between positions. A comfortable, repeatable position matters: it helps the shooter maintain control across many shots instead of relying on a few exceptional attempts.
How pistol shooting works
Pistol events are shot one-handed, which makes balance and fine muscle control especially important. Athletes must align the sights, manage the trigger, and keep the pistol steady while aiming. The air pistol event uses compressed air or gas, while the 25m events use cartridge-firing pistols under the sport’s equipment rules.
10m air pistol
In 10m air pistol, athletes shoot at a stationary target from 10 meters. Qualification ranks the field, and the leading competitors advance to a medal final. As with air rifle, the qualification and final are distinct stages, with the final using its own scoring and progression format.
25m pistol and rapid fire pistol
The women’s 25m pistol event combines precision and rapid-fire stages. The format asks competitors to demonstrate control at different tempos. The men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event emphasizes quick, repeatable shots at a series of targets during timed strings. In Paris 2024, these were separate events with different eligibility categories; they were not two names for the same contest.
Rapid shooting does not mean firing without aiming. Athletes practice a consistent sequence: bring the pistol into position, acquire the target, press the trigger, and recover for the next shot within the permitted time. The challenge is to stay accurate while working at speed.
How Olympic shotgun events work
Shotgun events replace stationary paper targets with clay targets, often called clays or birds. The targets are released into the air, and athletes try to break them with a shot. Results depend on how many targets each competitor hits, with the exact sequence and final format set by the event rules.
Trap
In trap, a machine launches clay targets away from the shooting line. The targets travel outward, and their direction can vary. Athletes must read the target quickly, follow its path, and fire before it moves beyond reach. The event rewards a smooth swing and good timing as well as quick target recognition.
Skeet
In skeet, targets are released from two fixed houses positioned at different heights. They cross the shooting area along set paths, and athletes shoot from a series of stations. Because the direction and order are structured, competitors can prepare for the sequence, but they still need precise timing to hit fast-moving clays.
Trap and skeet both involve moving targets, but they are not interchangeable. Trap targets move away from the athlete, while skeet targets cross the field from different launch points. That difference changes how athletes track and time each shot.
How qualifying rounds, finals, and scoring differ
Most Olympic shooting events begin with qualification. Athletes shoot a set course, and their total or hit count determines who advances. The final then narrows the field and awards medals. The details are not identical across rifle, pistol, and shotgun, so a single scoring description cannot cover every event.
In rifle and pistol qualification, shots are scored for their closeness to the center of the target. Decimal scoring may be used in some qualification formats, allowing a shot to earn a score based on where it lands within the scoring rings. Finals use a separate format, which can include head-to-head progression or elimination. In shotgun qualification, the core measure is the number of clay targets hit, with finalists competing in a medal round.
For mixed-team contests, one woman and one man represent a country. Their results combine under the event rules, and leading teams advance to medal matches. These events make teamwork and consistency part of the contest, but each athlete still takes individual shots.
One useful viewing tip: check whether you are watching qualification or a final before comparing scores. A qualification leaderboard may not carry directly into the medal round, and the scoring display can change between stages. Knowing the stage prevents a common misunderstanding: an athlete who leads qualification has not necessarily won a medal.
What equipment and targets should you expect?
Equipment varies by discipline and event. Air rifle and air pistol use compressed air or gas to propel pellets at short-range targets. Other rifle and pistol events use firearms and ammunition specified by the sport’s regulations. Shotgun athletes use shotguns designed for breaking clay targets.
Rifle competitors may wear specialized clothing that supports a stable shooting position, within limits set by the rules. Pistol competitors rely on a secure grip and controlled movement, while shotgun competitors need gear suited to moving and tracking. Equipment rules exist to keep the contest focused on athletes’ skill rather than unrestricted mechanical advantages.
Targets also differ. Rifle and pistol targets have scoring rings, with the highest value at the center. Shotgun targets are moving clays, so the result is recorded as hits rather than a shot’s distance from a central bullseye. These different targets explain why the events use different scoring systems.
A common misconception is that every Olympic shooting event uses the same kind of gun or ammunition. It does not. The 10m air events use air-powered equipment, while other events use different regulated firearms; shotgun events focus on breaking clay targets. Even within one discipline, the equipment and course can vary by event.
How Olympic shooting differs from other target sports
Olympic shooting is separate from several sports that also involve aiming or firearms. Archery uses bows and arrows, not guns. It has its own target formats and event rules. Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, so competitors alternate a physical endurance race with shooting stages. It is part of the Winter Olympics, not the Summer Olympic shooting program.
Modern pentathlon is a separate multi-sport competition. Its current format includes a laser-run, which combines running and laser pistol shooting, rather than an Olympic shooting medal event. The laser-run does not count as one of the standalone rifle, pistol, or shotgun events described above.
Other shooting disciplines may be popular internationally without being on the Olympic program. The fact that a sport uses a firearm or target does not automatically make it an Olympic event. For the Olympic lineup, look for the official shooting discipline and event list for the specific Games.
What to watch for during a competition
You do not need technical knowledge to follow a match. Start with the event name and competition stage, then watch for the details that shape each discipline.
- Identify the target. Fixed targets point to rifle or pistol; flying clay targets mean shotgun.
- Check the distance and position. The 10m air events use a short range, while the 50m rifle event changes among three positions.
- Follow the scoring method. Rifle and pistol emphasize target score; shotgun emphasizes clay hits.
- Look for qualification or final. Qualification decides who advances, while the final determines the medals.
- Notice the event category. Individual and mixed-team contests have different entry and scoring arrangements.
Small movements can matter, so an athlete may take time to settle before firing. That pause is part of the skill, not wasted time. In shotgun, the pace is more visible because the athlete reacts to a target as it flies; in rifle and pistol, the challenge often lies in maintaining stillness and control.
Safety and the meaning of “air gun”
Air guns are not toys. Olympic air rifles and pistols launch pellets using compressed air or gas, and they can cause serious injury if handled carelessly. Competition ranges use controlled firing lines, designated target areas, and procedures for handling equipment. The same principle applies to all shooting disciplines: treat every gun as capable of harm and follow trained officials’ instructions.
Another detail many viewers miss is that air-powered does not mean harmless. The equipment differs from a conventional firearm, but safe handling still matters. Never copy an athlete’s equipment setup or attempt to use a gun without appropriate training, legal permission, and a properly supervised range.
The Olympic gun sports are grouped under shooting and include rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. Paris 2024 featured 15 medal events, with fixed-target contests, moving-clay competitions, and mixed-team formats.
To follow a match, first identify its discipline and whether you are watching qualification or a final. Then pay attention to the target and scoring method; those details explain what athletes are trying to do and what each score means.