Rules update: 2021 edition of World Archery Rulebook released on 1 January
The official new year edition of the World Archery Rulebook, implementing bylaw changes made at a recent meeting of the World Archery executive board, was released on 1 January 2021.
Many of the changes are editorial however there are significant alterations to the process of submitting applications for and confirming world ranking events, which align with upcoming post-pandemic event guidelines coming into effect when the current temporary document expires.
Theses updates include removing the maximum number of world ranking events in a continent (it was previously six); mandating the appointments of a technical delegate, chair of judges and results manager; and firming the procedure for post-event evaluation and approval by World Archery so that event standards are upheld.
Tournaments that do not meet the requirements can now lose their status - meaning results would not count towards the ranking – even after the competition is complete.
The double-shoot-off has also been officially removed.
A tied match outdoors will once again be decided in a single shot, with the archer whose arrow lands closest to the centre winning the match regardless of points value. A second shoot-off arrow will only be required if the target judge cannot determine whose arrow landed closest to the middle.
The anti-doping rules (Book 6) have also been renumbered to align with the latest code from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Translators
The official version of the World Archery Rulebook is issued in English however reference translations, added by member federations, are provided online. Languages currently supported include Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Slovenian, Polish and Swedish.
Translators for all other languages are being sought and national federations can nominate new contributors for this year by midnight CET on 25 January 2021.
A training webinar on the online translation platform lasting approximately one-and-a-half hours will be held for all translators at 15h00 CET on 27 January 2021. The next training opportunity for new translators will be in January 2022.
Upcoming congress
World Archery’s executive board can update bylaws in the rulebook but major changes to the rules can only be made at World Archery Congress, where delegates from national federations propose and vote on motions.
The next congress is scheduled to take place alongside the 2021 Hyundai World Archery Championships in autumn.
