Tom’s Blog: Archery in Paris a triumph of precision and prestige

Archery at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will stand as a landmark in the sport’s history.

In the heart of the French capital on the Esplanade des Invalides, our 128 Olympians produced some of the greatest matches we’ve ever witnessed – from narrow victories to shocking upsets and epic showdowns between all-time greats.

Whether a seasoned fan or a newcomer in the 8000-strong crowd, it was an unforgettable experience.

Archers representing 53 National Olympic Committees competed at these Games. Seven countries climbed the podium. Korea, despite significant challenges in all five competitions, swept the golds.

As I said to the teams at the start of the event, with competition for quota places, simply qualifying was a huge success. Less than a third of World Archery’s 165+ member associations won that right.

Every archer who took to the field in Paris truly earned the title ‘Olympian’.

Ten

One of the big storylines leading into the Olympics was the unbeaten Korean recurve women’s team, who had won every gold medal since the event’s introduction to the Games at Seoul 1988 – nine in a row.

Having been beaten twice at stages of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in 2024, the squad suddenly looked less dominant – especially when, despite qualifying top with a new Olympic record, they were taken to a shoot-off by the bottom-seeded Netherlands in the semifinals.

The final against China, who had orchestrated both the Korean’s defeats this year, was a nail-biter, too.

Forced to a tiebreak once again, it was left to emerging superstar Lim Sihyeon to deliver the final arrow, a perfect 10, to win that 10th consecutive title, the latest testament to the team’s longevity, consistency and incredible ability to remain ahead in the sport.

Legendary showdown

Kim Woojin and Brady Ellison have established themselves as two of the greatest archers of all time since both breaking onto the international podium around 2010. Paris produced a much-anticipated showdown between the pair – for the biggest title of all.

After surviving a bracket that saw him beat the reigning world number one (Marcus D’Almeida) and defending Olympic Champion (Mete Gazoz), Woojin faced Brady for gold.

The duel captivated audiences in the arena and around the world as the legends – GOATs, if you will – traded arrows until a single, final decider. The last arrows of these Olympics. Another tiebreak.

Woojin’s arrow – a 10, inside the line. Brady’s arrow – a 10, just outside the line.

The title of Olympic Champion, won by a couple of millimetres.

It was a match for the ages but, most of all, it was a demonstration of sportsmanship and respect.

The pair celebrated together, Brady lifting Woojin’s arm and locking hands to salute the effusive crowd, that single moment a beautiful culmination of a decade competing against one another – together – on the world stage.

French fans

Paris was a sell-out. More than 120,000 tickets bought across the eight days of competition – and probably the best arena atmosphere we’ve ever seen.

Coverage was live, worldwide. Every final on major European networks. The Korean women’s historic victory shown wider than any match previously shot at an Olympics. That incredible men’s final, replayed repeatedly. And France’s own success…

The home team produced for the home fans.

A first-ever medal (silver) in the men’s team competition and a first-ever women’s individual podium finish, courtesy of a remarkable performance by left-hander Lisa Barbelin, whose electric energy brought the Invalides arena to life.

An arena built by another famous French archer…

The Olympic Champion

Sébastien Flute caused the popularity of archery in France to explode when he won the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. (Coincidentally, he – like Lisa – is a left-hander.)

Thirty-two years on, he’s extended his Olympic legacy.

Not only Seb and his great team of staff and volunteers deliver a phenomenal archery event, showcasing the brilliance of our world-class athletes in the heart of the French capital, but they remained on-site after the last arrows were shot to deliver the largest event in Olympic history, converting the archery arena to host the finish line of the mass marathon (and marathons).

I hope they got some rest… before we return for the Paralympics at the end of this month.

In four years, the Olympic Games will be in Los Angeles. It will be a very different event. Look out for announcements on the programme and schedule later this year.

Much will change in the world of sport before then. There will be a new president of the International Olympic Committee, and of World Archery, and the management in LA is sure to want to put its own stamp on the Games.

Just as Paris has – as a celebration of precision and prestige.