Looking specifically at shooting sport across the last four Olympic Games, a clear evolution emerges. The average age of athletes has gradually decreased from 32 in London 2012 and Rio 2016 to 30 in Paris 2024, reflecting a steady influx of younger talent. At the same time, shooting sport has preserved its trademark depth of experience: the oldest athlete in Paris was 60 years old, while the youngest competitor was just 15. This broad age spectrum highlights shooting sport’s ability to combine early technical development with long-term athletic careers.
One of the most notable trends from Paris 2024 is seen on the podium. While the average age of shooting sport medallists remained stable at around 31 years from 2012 to Tokyo 2021, it dropped significantly to 27 in Paris. This shift points to a new generation of athletes not only qualifying for the Olympic Games, but converting opportunity into medals. Yet experience remains a powerful factor, with medal winners still ranging from 16 to 51 years of age—further proof that success in shooting sport is shaped by precision, mental strength and consistency rather than age alone.
In a Games that featured the youngest Olympic competitor at just 11 years old and medallists approaching 60 in other sports, shooting sport continues to exemplify the Olympic ideal of sport for all ages. The data from Paris 2024 reinforces shooting sport’s distinctive balance: a discipline where youth and experience compete on equal terms, and where excellence can be achieved early—or sustained across decades. For the ISSF and its global community, this remains one of shooting sport’s strongest and most compelling stories.
Leonel Martinez, from Venezuela, competed in Trap Men, at the age of 61