By Amlan Chakraborty
CHATEAUROUX, France (Reuters) – Accepting the proposal to stage the Paris Olympics shooting events away from the capital in Chateauroux was a “big mistake” and efforts will be made to prevent a repeat in 2028, chief of the sport’s global governing body Luciano Rossi said on Sunday.
Shooters including skeet great Vincent Hancock have praised the facilities at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre but did not hide their disappointment at having to compete at a venue 270 kilometres away from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
Italian Rossi, who replaced Russian Vladimir Lisin as the president of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) in late 2022, blamed the previous management for agreeing to the choice of venue.
“It was a big shock initially to have to organise the competition in Chateauroux,” Rossi told a news conference.
“But we respected the decision of the (Paris 2024) Organising Committee and we worked together with the French federation to create this beautiful complex here.”
“We make mistakes and the biggest mistake was to stay out from the Olympic city, in this case, the beautiful city of Paris.”
“Chateauroux is a beautiful village, but it’s a village.”
This would be the last time shooting was held outside the host city, he vowed, saying the ISSF was in discussions with the organisers of the 2028 Games to keep them in Los Angeles.
“We are working now with Los Angeles 2028 to be in (the) city of Los Angeles.”
“We want shooting to be all together – rifle, pistol and shotgun – and not divided with some in one place and some in another.”
With former Olympic champion shooter Niccolo Campriani of Italy as the sports director for the Los Angeles Games, Rossi expected negotiation would be smooth.
“I am sure the LA Organising Committee will follow our proposal…” he added.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in Chateauroux; editing by Toby Davis)
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