The 2008 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup is to be held at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall and Beijing Shooting Range Clay-Target Field (CTF) from April 10-21.
As one of the "Good Luck Beijing" test events, the tournament has attracted 1,273 shooters and officials from 92 countries and regions, making it the biggest international shooting event held in China, as well as the largest Olympic tryout for the Beijing Games.
The World Cup will be the only chance for athletes to adapt themselves to the venue and equipment for the Games, so all teams have attached great importance to it by sending their shooters who have qualified.
World shooting powerhouses will field their strongest line-ups, including 60 from China, 29 from Russia, 38 from the United States, 31 from Germany and 30 from Italy.
To help athletes and officials prepare for the Beijing Games, the World Cup will be staged at the official venues of the Olympic shooting competition, in a set-up that will be similar to that of the Games.
The tournament will feature all 15 Olympic events, including nine men's individual events and six women's individual events. April 8-11 will be training days, and April 12-20 will be competition days.
The new Olympic venue, located in the west of Beijing, has been designed in the shape of a hunting bow. This design takes into consideration the origins of the sport - hunting in the forest.
