A panoramic view of the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris, showcasing its expansive open space and the iconic backdrop of Les Invalides with its distinctive golden dome. The image highlights the grandeur of the historical site, which houses museums and monuments relating to military history of France. The setting is a clear day with blue skies, and the area is surrounded by neatly trimmed green lawns
Equipment, Skills & Events

Paris 2024 Top Olympic Archery Contenders

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to showcase a thrilling lineup of archery competitions, drawing contenders from around the globe.

We’ll look at the top archery prospects from various countries.

Archery was reintroduced at the Olympic Games for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich after a 52 year hiatus.

Learn more about the history of Olympics:

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has been the most successful nation in archery at the Olympics, winning a total of 43 medals:

  • 27 gold
  • 9 silver
  • 7 bronze

The USA are second, winning 33 medals (14 gold).

To qualify for the Olympic Games, archers must meet a minimum qualification score of 640 for men and 610 for women.

Those rankings must be achieved by the final qualifying event in June 2024.

Venue Overview: Esplanade des Invalides

A panoramic view of the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris, showcasing its expansive open space and the iconic backdrop of Les Invalides with its distinctive golden dome. The image highlights the grandeur of the historical site, which houses museums and monuments relating to military history of France. The setting is a clear day with blue skies, and the area is surrounded by neatly trimmed green lawns

The Esplanade des Invalides in Paris is a significant historical site, known for its sprawling green lawns and monumental architecture.

The area forms part of a larger complex, which includes the Hôtel National des Invalides.

It was originally built as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans under the orders of King Louis XIV in 1670.

The purpose of this grand project was to provide a home and medical care for aged or unwell soldiers who served France in war.

Over the years, the site has grown into a national symbol of military history and includes several museums and monuments.

The most notable being the Musée de l’Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, and a mausoleum containing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Esplanade itself is a large open space that extends from the Seine River to the Hôtel des Invalides.

It has been the backdrop for many significant historical events, including parades and national celebrations.

Today, it serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a gathering place for Parisians and visitors alike, often used for picnics, leisurely walks, and formal events.

This location will provide a spectacular backdrop for the archery.

Table of Key Takeaways

Aspect Detail
Event Olympic Archery Competition 2024
Venue Esplanade des Invalides, Paris
Capacity 8,000 spectators
Dates 25th July to 4th August 2024
Format Individual, Team, and Mixed Team events
Qualification World Championships, Continental Games, Various Tournaments
Scoring Best-of-five sets, three arrows per set

Olympic Archery Competition Schedule and Format

Schedule Overview

  • Ranking Rounds: each of the 64 archers (men and women) shoot 72 arrows to determine their ranking for the single-elimination bracket.
  • Knockout Rounds: Proceed after ranking rounds, culminating in quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches.
  • Team Events: Follow a similar structure but include additional rounds for team competition.
  • Medal Matches:
    • Mixed team – August 2
    • Women’s event – August 3
    • Men’s event – August 4

For information about Olympic archery tickets: Paris 2024 Archery Venue Tickets

Archery Event Format – Recurve Archery

  • Participants: 64 men and 64 women
  • Olympic Rounds: 70 meters distance
  • Targets: 122cm in diameter and positioned 70m away from the archers
  • Scoring: Set system for individual and team matches, must shoot their arrows as close to the centre of the target as possible in order to beat their opponents
  • Competition Stages: Ranking round, followed by knockout matches

Current World Rankings – May 2024

Men’s Individual Recurve

Ranking Name Country
1 Marcus D’Almeida Brazil
2 Brady Ellison USA
3 Mauro Nespoli Italy
4 Mete Gazoz Turkey
5 Kim Woojin Korea
6 Lee Wooseok Korea
7 Steve Wijler Netherlands
8 Kim Je Deok Korea
9 Eric Peters Canada
10 Nicholas D’Amour US Virgin Islands

Women’s Individual Recurve

Ranking Name Country
1 Casey Kaufhold USA
2 Lim Sihyeon Korea
3 Alejandra Valencia Mexico
4 Marie Horackova Czech Republic
5 Elia Canales Spain
6 Kang Chaeyoung Korea
7 Penny Healey Great Britain
8 Choi Misun Korea
9 Katharina Bauer Germany
10 Lisa Barbelin France

Men’s Individual Compound

Ranking Name Country
1 Mike Schloesser Netherlands
2 Mathias Fullerton Denmark
3 Jozef Bosansky Slovakia
4 Abhishek Verma India
5 Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar India
6 Nico Wiener Austria
7 James Lutz USA
8 Ojas Pravin Deotale India
9 Jean Pizarro Latorre Puerto Rico
10 Marco Bruno Italy

Women’s Individual Compound

Ranking Name Country
1 Ella Gibson Great Britain
2 Jyothi Surekha Vennam India
3 Sara Lopez Colombia
4 Alexis Ruiz USA
5 Tanja Gellenthien Denmark
6 Andrea Becerra Mexico
7 Lisa Roner Italy
8 Dafne Quintero Mexico
9 Liko Arreola USA
10 Aditi Gopichand Swami India

Learn more about archery rankings: World Archery Rankings

Olympic Archery Contender – Marcus D’Almeida (Brazil)

  • Age: 25
  • Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Current Ranking: #1 in Men’s Recurve Archery
  • Past Olympic Success: Competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics

Marcus D’Almeida is a prominent Brazilian archer known for his exceptional skills in the sport. Born on February 24, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Marcus has been making waves in archery since he was very young.

He first caught the world’s attention at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, where he won a silver medal. This early success marked him as a rising star in archery. Marcus’s style is known for its precision and consistency, traits that have carried him through numerous competitions with impressive results.

Although Marcus participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics in his home country, he did not win a medal. However, his performance was strong, and he gained valuable experience competing at such a high level. He continued to compete internationally, consistently ranking well and gaining further experience.

Marcus’s dedication to archery is profound. He trains rigorously, aiming to perfect his technique and compete against the best in the world. His goal is to not only win medals but also to inspire others in Brazil to take up the sport.

Apart from archery, Marcus enjoys other sports and spends time outdoors, which helps him maintain his focus and physical fitness. He also likes to engage with fans and young athletes on social media, sharing tips and encouraging them in their sports careers.

Marcus D’Almeida continues to be a prominent figure in archery, aiming for more achievements and possibly more Olympic appearances. His journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in pursuing sporting excellence.

Olympic Archery Contender – Brady Ellison (USA)

Brady Ellison competes at the World Cup Men's Final
Brady Ellison, courtesy of Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro)
  • Age: 35
  • Hometown: Glendale, Arizona, USA
  • Current Ranking: #2 in Men’s Recurve Archery
  • Past Olympic Success:
    • 2012 London Olympics: Silver medal (team event)
    • 2016 Rio Olympics: Bronze medal
    • 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Bronze medal

Brady Ellison is one of the world’s leading archers, known for his sharp skills and dedication to the sport.

He began his archery journey at an early age. As a child, Ellison suffered from Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and wore leg braces for some time. He quickly rose to fame with his natural talent and hard work. Ellison began with a compound and represented the USA as a youth archer.

Brady has represented the United States in multiple Olympics. He first made waves at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has since won several Olympic medals.

He has had subsequent health issues with his knees and fingers, particularly in the lead-up to and during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Brady is married to Slovenian archer Toja Ellison. He credits his wife’s knowledge of alternative medicine to cure the pain in his fingers in 2018.

Apart from his Olympic success, Brady has also dominated at World Championships. He has claimed the World Archery Championship title three times, solidifying his status as a top global competitor. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure are admired by fans and fellow athletes alike.

Brady’s passion for archery extends beyond competitions. He actively participates in promoting the sport, especially to young enthusiasts. He believes in the power of sports to change lives and encourages young people to pursue their dreams with determination.

Off the field, Brady enjoys outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. These hobbies connect him to nature and provide relaxation away from his rigorous training schedule.

Olympic Archery Contender – Casey Kaufhold (USA)

  • Age: 20
  • Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Current Ranking: #1 in Women’s Recurve Archery
  • Past Olympic Success: Participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Casey Kaufhold is an accomplished young archer from the United States, making significant marks in the world of archery. Born on February 6, 2004, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Casey grew up in a family passionate about archery, which sparked her interest from a very young age.

At just 17 years old, Casey represented the USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, showing incredible skill and composure. She was the youngest member of Team USA at the Tokyo Games. Though she didn’t medal, her performance gained her recognition on the international stage. She competed bravely and gained valuable experience competing against the world’s best.

Apart from her Olympic appearance, Casey has achieved remarkable success in other competitions. She has won medals at the Pan American Games and has stood on the podium at World Archery events. Her dedication and hard work have made her one of the promising talents in American archery.

Casey trains rigorously, aiming to improve with each competition. She believes in hard work and staying focused on her goals. Outside of her training schedule, Casey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and she values the support they give her in her sports career.

Casey Kaufhold remains a significant figure in archery, with aspirations of returning to the Olympics and achieving even greater success. Her journey highlights the importance of perseverance and passion in reaching one’s dreams. As she continues to compete, she serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere, demonstrating that age is just a number when it comes to achieving big dreams.

Olympic Inclusion of Compound Archery Delayed

While compound archery still has not made it’s debut, the following archers are still hopeful that they will have a chance to compete at the Olympics, someday!

Mike Schloesser (Netherlands)

Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands
Image of Mike Schloesser Courtsey of: Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Age: 30
  • Hometown: Heerlen, Netherlands
  • Current Ranking: #1 in Men’s Compound Archery
  • Past Olympic Success: Has not competed in the Olympics due to his discipline not being included

Mike Schloesser, nicknamed “Mister Perfect,” is a world-renowned archer from the Netherlands. He was born on January 17, 1994, in Heerlen, Netherlands. Mike is famous for his precision in compound archery, a discipline in which he has set world records and won numerous titles.

Mike first drew attention when he scored a perfect 600 in a compound round, earning his nickname. He has continued to dominate his sport, securing gold medals at the World Archery Championships and consistently placing at the top in other major international competitions.

Despite his success in many archery events, Mike has not competed in the Olympics because compound archery has not yet been included in the Olympic Games.

Mike is also known for his cool demeanor and technical skill, which have made him a respected figure in the archery community. He spends a lot of time practicing and perfecting his technique, which is key to his success.

Off the archery range, Mike enjoys tinkering with archery equipment and spending time outdoors. He likes to experiment with different settings on his bow, searching for the slightest improvements to enhance his performance.

Mike Schloesser continues to inspire archers worldwide with his achievements and dedication to the sport. His career is a testament to the importance of precision, patience, and hard work in achieving excellence. Whether compound archery makes it to the Olympics or not, Mike’s impact on the sport is undeniable, and he remains a role model for aspiring archers everywhere.

Ella Gibson (Great Britain)

  • Age: 25
  • Hometown: Cheltenham, England
  • Current Ranking: #1 in Women’s Compound Archery
  • Past Olympic Success: Has not competed in the Olympics

Ella Gibson is a talented archer from the United Kingdom, making a name for herself in the world of compound archery. Born on August 24, 1999, in Cheltenham, England, Ella quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the sport’s most promising athletes.

Ella’s passion for archery began at a young age, and she has been competing since she was a teenager. Her skill with the compound bow is remarkable, and she has claimed victories at several major international competitions. Her precision and ability to stay calm under pressure have helped her secure these wins.

Like Mike Schloesser, Ella has not had the opportunity to compete in the Olympics because compound archery is not yet an Olympic discipline. Despite this, she continues to push the boundaries of her sport, aiming to raise its profile and someday see it included in the Olympic Games.

Ella’s dedication to archery is matched by her commitment to promoting the sport, especially encouraging young women to take it up. She often speaks about the importance of gender equality in sports and works to inspire the next generation of female athletes.

Off the field, Ella enjoys fitness training and exploring the countryside, activities that complement her archery training. Her approach to training is holistic, focusing on both physical and mental preparation.

Ella Gibson’s influence extends beyond her medal wins, as she continues to be a role model and advocate for her sport. Her career is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedication and passion can have on achieving one’s goals and making a difference.

Conclusion

As we look forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics, excitement is building for the archery events. The beautiful Château de Vincennes will host both the new compound archery and traditional recurve competitions. This historic venue will offer a stunning setting for the athletes and fans.

Top archers from countries like United States, Korea, and India will compete for medals. They’ll show off their skills in both new and familiar events, aiming for Olympic records and unforgettable moments.

The Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be a standout event for archery, blending old traditions with exciting new challenges. As the competition begins, all eyes will be on these amazing athletes, ready to make history at a truly special venue.