World Archery Federation

World Archery Federation
Name	World Archery Federation
Founded	1931
Headquarters	Lausanne, Switzerland
President	Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener
Website	worldarchery.sport

World Archery Federation. The global governing body for the sport of archery, recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. It oversees international competitions, standardizes rules and equipment, and promotes the development of the sport worldwide through its member associations. Founded in 1931, it has been instrumental in archery's inclusion in major multi-sport events like the Olympic Games and the Asian Games.

History

The federation was established in 1931 in Łwów, Poland, by seven national archery associations from France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy. Its formation was championed by figures like Bronisław Pierzchała of Poland. Following a period of inactivity during World War II, it was revived in 1946. A pivotal moment came in 1972 when, under the leadership of Ina S. Fita of the United States, archery was permanently reintroduced to the Olympic programme at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The organization changed its name from the International Archery Federation (FITA) to World Archery in 2011, relocating its headquarters to the Olympic Capital of Lausanne.

Governance and organization

The federation is led by its President, currently Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener of Turkey, who also serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee. Its supreme authority is the Congress, which convenes every two years and is composed of delegates from member associations. Day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Board and the Secretary General, with committees overseeing specific areas like the World Archery Judges Committee and the Athletes Commission. The organization maintains close partnerships with entities like World Archery Americas and the Archery Association of Asia.

Competitions and events

The federation sanctions a robust calendar of world-class events. The premier tournament is the World Archery Championships, held biennially for target archery, alongside separate world championships for field archery, 3D archery, and indoor archery. It organizes the annual World Archery World Cup, a series of stages culminating in a final, and oversees archery at the Summer Olympic Games and Summer Paralympic Games. Other major events include the World Games, the Youth Olympic Games, and continental championships like the European Archery Championships and the Pan American Games.

Rules and equipment

The federation establishes and enforces the official rules for international competition, detailed in its rulebook. Key disciplines include target archery, shot at distances of 70 meters in Olympic events, and field archery, conducted in wooded terrain. Approved equipment must meet strict specifications, encompassing modern Olympic recurve bows, compound bows, and traditional bows like the longbow. All arrows used in competition must pass inspection by the World Archery Equipment Committee, and athletes compete in categories defined by bow type, gender, and age, as seen in events like the World Archery Youth Championships.

Member associations

The federation comprises over 160 national member associations, representing archery governance in their respective countries or territories, such as USA Archery in the United States, Archery GB in Great Britain, and the Korean Archery Association in South Korea. Membership is structured within five continental associations: World Archery Europe, World Archery Americas, World Archery Asia, World Archery Africa, and World Archery Oceania. These members send athletes to compete in events like the World Archery Para Championships and the Asian Archery Championships.

Recognition and development

As the sole governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the federation holds significant authority in the sporting world. It actively promotes global development through programs like World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne and grassroots initiatives. The federation's development efforts are often showcased during events such as the Archery World Cup and the World Archery Congress. Its role in expanding para archery, governed in conjunction with the International Paralympic Committee, further underscores its commitment to growing the sport across all levels and abilities.

Category:Archery organizations Category:International sports federations Category:Sports governing bodies in Switzerland