The ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña spoke with the press at the 2nd Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, tagging the event as a stage of success for the new ISSF Rules and for the Shooting sport, on the road to Rio 2016.
“I have been really happy and satisfied with the outcome of the 2nd Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.” The ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña said, speaking with the press.
“The organization has been just perfect, the venue proved to be excellent, and our official did a great job.”
“Our young athlete competed at high levels, here in Nanjing. I was especially impressed by the great result achieved by the 14-year old shooter Veloso from Singapore. Earlier this year she had became our youngest World Cup medallist ever, and here in Nanjing she finished on the podium claiming the Silver medal. She had started shooting after the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and that shows us how the YOG are a wonderful format to spread the sport among the youth.”
The atmosphere and the outstanding reactions of young athletes, spectators and media to the new elimination-style finals also impressed the ISSF President.
“Nanjing has been an important stage to present our new ISSF Rules to the world.” He said. “Our young athletes like the new format. The reactions of the spectators have been totally positive, and so were the comments we received from the media. Elimination-style finals put drama and emotions into our sport, and everybody enjoyed them here.”
“Athletes should be confident in the ISSF.” Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña continued. “We have been changing the rules in the benefit of our sport. We want Shooting to be even more successful and positively welcomed all over the world. The new finals are achieving those results, and I am sure that the new format will be an highlight of Rio 2016.”
During the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, the ISSF President met the IOC President Thomas Bach at the shooting range, where they followed the 10m Air Pistol Men final together.
“The IOC President Bach visited us in Nanjing, and I can state that the relationship between the ISSF and the IOC is absolutely positive: we are collaborating in harmony on the road leading to the future of the sport.” Mr. Vazquez Raña said.
“The ISSF is working hard and will keep on working hard to achieve such positive results, in favor of our sport, in favor of our athletes.”