Photo by World Archery
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Compound archery will be in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles following an announcement by the International Olympic Committee earlier today.
Compound mixed team will be included in the Games, in addition to the five medal events in the recurve division.
“It’s exciting,” began compound archer James Lutz. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction and being in the USA will be very special.”
Lutz is part of the USA team competing in Florida at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 1, and one of the world’s leading compound archers. Indeed, the USA produces some of the world’s best in the compound division, including Alexis Ruiz, Olivia Dean, Sawyer Sullivan and Paige Pearce.
“This is such exciting news,” commented Pearce. “I can’t even believe that compound made it into the Olympics for 2028.
“There’s going to be so many athletes working so hard over the next few years and I can’t believe that our Olympic dreams have finally been made possible.”
The compound bow was developed in the United States almost 60 years ago, by Holless Wilbur Allen of Missouri.
The bow made its international debut at the 1994 World Archery Youth Championships in Italy, with gold going to USA’s Randall Copp in the men’s division and to the USA women’s team.
There would be further success a year later at the World Archery Championships, with the USA taking gold in the men’s, women’s and women’s team category.
Since that time, the USA has been among the powerhouses in this division, regularly enjoying places on the podium at World Championships, World Youth Championships, World Cups, Pan Am Games and Pan Am Championships.
“This is an historic landmark for archery in the United States,” added USA Archery Chief of Sport Performance and Operations, Mary Emmons. “USA Archery has a deep roster of compound talent. The addition of compound archery to the Olympic Games will ignite an Olympic dream for many and draw them even closer to the movement.”
This marks the first time that a new bow style has been introduced to the Olympic Games since archery returned at the 1972 edition in Munich.
Emmons added, “By adding compound to the Olympic Program USA Archery will be eager to unlock new financial and other athlete resources and support programs from the USOPC to further support elite athletes on their Olympic journey and to help build and grow the compound Olympic program ahead of LA28.”
Those wishing to get involved in the sport of archery as momentum builds toward the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles can learn more via the following resources:
< Back to All News
