Shooting has been contested at most of the Olympic Games. The sport first appeared in 1896. There were also events in 1900, but none were contested during the 1904 and 1928 Games.

The programme has varied just as much as any of the other sports (with the possible exception of sailing/yachting). In 1908, 1912, 1920 and 1924 there were dozens of events, including multiple team events. Thus it was possible for shooters to win many medals at these Olympics. After a hiatus in 1928, the sport returned to the Olympics in 1932 with only two events - one for pistols and one for rifles. Since World War II the programme has become relatively standardised.

Women were first allowed to compete in Olympic shooting in 1968. In that year Mexico, Peru and Poland each entered one female contestant. In 1984 the International Shooting Union (UIT) now called the ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation introduced separate events for women. Between 1984 and 1992 the number of women's events increased gradually. In addition, several of the events on the programme remained mixed, i.e. open to both men and women. As of 1996 in Atlanta, the shooting programme was segregated, with men's events being separated from the women's.

(BOCOG)