Olympics 2016: Shooters to strike a musical note in Rio

The Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro, Rio de Janeiro is ready to offer a different kind of environment to the participants when the Summer Games get under way this August.

In a bid to make the sport interesting for participants as well as spectators, the international shooting body (ISSF) is set to introduce music during competitions at the Olympics in Rio.

The step is not new though as the ISSF has tried it out at several World Cup events last year after the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

Like most of the shooters, the sports body believes it is a positive move in terms of presentation. Some, thou-gh, feel it could be a distraction.

Former world no. 1 pistol shooter Heena Sidhu was of the view that “music during a shooting match is a mismatch.”

“I mean this sport is about intensity and concentration and suspense. Music does not fit in.

“During a World Cup event in Rio, everyone including organisers were confused with regard to the playlist, volume and when the music should be played. It was really unprofessional at that time.

“If things are going fine then it doesn’t matter but when you are facing problems in your match, the music doesn’t let you clear your mind and keeps distracting and disturbing you. That’s when it becomes a challenge,” said Heena, currently competing in Europe.

However, the ISSF said, “we don’t believe that music can affect the concentration, if not played too loud.

“On the contrary, music can help to create a homogeneous audio environment, avoiding disturbance from spectators suddenly shouting during the finals. This solution was tested at several official ISSF competitions and proved to be positive both for athletes and spectators, improving their experience during the competitions,” ISSF communication manager Marco Dalla Dea told this paper over an email.

“Positive feedback was also expressed by the ISSF’s athletes committee, that backed the decision and approved a list of soundtracks used during this year’s World Cup series,” he said.

He added, “The song list includes both instrumental and vocal. It was only in use for ISSF events. Music at the Games is in charge of the Rio 2016 sports presentation team and they will chose the music autonomously.”

Asked to pick her personal choice of music, Heena said it would be something “instrumental and soothing”. “However from what I hear, the choice of music could be the top 100 chartbusters of that year,” the 26-year-old added.

Meanwhile, trap shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu welcomed the move saying that “innovations that can make the sport interesting”.

“I remember the ISSF tried this out during the World Cup Finals in Kapala (Azerbaijan) last year, and it was successful. The shooters, and I personally, liked it. I don’t think it will be a disturbance. It will engage the crowd and add to the environment, make it lively,” felt Manavjit, currently training in Italy.

For pistol ace Jitu Rai, the move will be a challenge for everyone. “If it is going to disturb my focus than it will be the same for all. I’ m ready for it.”